During quarantine, Netflix's servers have been working overtime. We all have time on our hands, time we may use to produce our life's work. Isaac Newton invented an entire branch of mathematics while isolated. William Shakespeare wrote King Lear. The normal ones among us, however, will simply consume inexplicable quantities of media. That's just what … Continue reading My Decade in Movies
Another year has come to pass, and the primary season has reached its conclusion. It’s been a particularly long, crowded, and divisive year, with the party’s progressive and moderate factions shining in stark contrast. The Democratic field winnowed from dozens of candidates to five, three, two… and finally, one. One man will stand opposite Donald … Continue reading The Biden Dilemma
Primary seasons are rough. To some, they seem unbearably prolonged. By nature, they bring out inter-party division and drama, weeding out the weak over several months. With Democrats disheartened after Donald Trump’s victory in November of 2016, the next election essentially began in spirit the second Hillary Clinton missed the mark. A million whispers spread … Continue reading Primary Pandemonium
In an age of revolutionized communication, the truth is drowning in a sea of misinformation. The Internet, arguably the greatest technological achievement in human history, collects the sum of humanity’s knowledge and places it at our convenience. It’s reinvented the ways we interact with one another: any piece of news can be delivered from one … Continue reading Fake news fuels the fire of fear
In recent months, protests have descended upon New York City subways. Seas of demonstrators have overtaken underground stations and streets above demanding sweeping reforms to the MTA, the city’s extensive rail network. Images of crowds hurtling turnstiles en masse, electronic card readers smothered in glue, and police clashing with protesters have circulated the media. The … Continue reading Railway Resistance
There is no such thing as the perfect candidate. You may jump to defend your politician of choice, but there will always be a bare spot in their character and reputation. There will always be an Access Hollywood tape or a Soviet honeymoon. Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow alike will always dig up something to … Continue reading All candidates considered
The short answer: no, but it’s complicated. Last year, this newspaper published an article detailing soaring tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran following controversy over an Obama-era treaty which put a damper on Iran’s nuclear proliferation. Iran, arguably the US’ most powerful adversary in the Middle East, had suffered crushing … Continue reading Are you getting drafted?
When a special news report flashed across the television screen in August of 2018, the four sets of eyes in my home were glued to the display. Millions of American families like mine were brought to an attentive standstill as we were informed that a political icon of this country was dead. John McCain, a … Continue reading Is it time for term limits?
1. Let the future arrive by itself, as it inevitably will. Consider the immortal words of Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Make a point to cherish the present before it becomes the past, because once it does you’ll look … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions for 2020
1. When you have a profound thought, write it down. Put it to words. Seek to understand your thoughts and feelings by taking them out of the abstract of the mind and into the physical plane of pen and paper. 2. Strive for knowledge. Be a resource for yourself. Never should you negate or neglect … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions for 2019
Patrick Swain 