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SFU partners with Fraser Health to open world-class medical imaging facility

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(Nathaniel Tok / The Peak)

Written by: Nathaniel Tok, Peak Associate

 

SFU and the Fraser Health Authority have partnered to open a brand-new medical imaging facility at the Surrey Memorial Hospital. The facility, named ImageTech, went public on September 18, and is hailed by a SFU media release to be the “first-of-its-kind in Western Canada.”

ImageTech combines many advanced imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and various computing platforms.

This combination of equipment lets researchers use medical imaging to “watch the brain in action” in real time, looking at brain function and structure. These images grant insight that allows researchers to evaluate, diagnose, monitor, and improve treatments for brain-related disorders and conditions such as Down syndrome, dementia, and depression.

In an email interview with The Peak, Ryan D’Arcy, SFU engineering and computing science professor, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation BC Leadership Chair in Multimodal Technology for Healthcare Innovations, and one of the researchers in the lab, medical imaging enables “rapid, safe, powerful insights deep into our bodies’ structures and functions.”

“[Medical imaging] creates disruptive breakthroughs in medicine and science around the world, at dizzying rates.” – Ryan D’Arcy, ImageTech researcher and SFU engineering and computing science professor 

D’Arcy believes that access to an advanced medical imaging facility like ImageTech will augment SFU researchers’ capabilities.

“Few other breakthroughs have been more impactful to individual healthcare, more rapidly, than those in medical imaging,” wrote D’Arcy.

The idea of creating ImageTech first emerged in 2012 as a joint venture between the Fraser Health Authority and SFU to develop the Health and Technology District in Surrey, a hub of research and innovation striving to make advancements in health care outcomes and experiences. Funding came from a variety of sources such as Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund, Philips Canada CTF MEG, and others.

ImageTech itself stands within the Health and Technology District so as to make its advanced medical imaging capabilities available for SFU and Fraser Health Authority experts to use.

The facility is a multi-user regional healthcare asset. Scientists from SFU, BC Children’s Hospital, Fraser Health Neurology, and Fraser Health Radiology are currently active in the facility.

Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development in the House of Commons, and the minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, praised the ImageTech Lab as a milestone for Surrey and SFU. He noted that the facility created room for “partnerships between researchers, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals.”

SFU’s vice-president, research and international Joy Johnson echoed those statements, calling the lab “a testament to the power of collaboration and partnerships.”

The lab already has a multi-disciplinary team in place from various organizations apart from SFU and the Fraser Health Authority, such as UBC, the BC Children’s Hospital, the BC Cancer Agency, and more.

Beyond its research capabilities, the lab will also contribute to the healthcare needs of the region. In the SFU media release, Dr. Victoria Lee, vice-president, population health and chief medical health officer for Fraser Health, commented that the lab will help researchers better understand diseases and their impact on people’s lives. Lee commented that the research facilitated by ImageTech will help “influence the innovation and advancement of health care.”

SFU president Andrew Petter was quoted in the press release, summarizing ImageTech’s role in SFU as a force multiplier for the university’s health technology capabilities and a contributor to community health as SFU grows in its role as Canada’s engaged university.

The importance of the Indigenous Sport Gallery

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The Indigenous Sport Gallery is open from 10 a.m - 5 p.m at BC Place. (The Peak / Youeal Abera)

By: Youeal Abera

Vancouver’s BC Place is currently hosting a monumental exhibit that celebrates and honours our province’s Indigenous athletes. As a part of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the Indigenous Sport Gallery acknowledges the contributions of athletic excellence which B.C.’s Indigenous communities have brought to the world of sports. Exhibiting a wide array of sport leagues and organizations, ranging from hockey and basketball to canoe-racing and horseback riding, the Indigenous Sport Gallery highlights a demographic often disregarded in discourses surrounding sports.

As you first walk into the exhibit, you are instantly greeted with rich information on Indigenous cultures and how they’ve impacted sports. Not only does the exhibit display the impressive accomplishments of Indigenous athletes, but it also teaches about the vital sports leagues and organizations entrenched within our province’s Indigenous communities.

For instance, the gallery sheds light on the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), which is an event that hosts thousands of North America’s Indigenous coaches and athletes for a multi-sport affair. The exhibit informs its attendees that Team BC, a team of over 500 Indigenous coaches and athletes from our province, has won more medals and taken first place more times than any other province or territory in the history of the NAIG.  

The hall of fame’s recent addition also articulates the significance of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (ISPARC). With the hope of maintaining healthy Indigenous communities in B.C., the ISPARC’s main goal is to increase the accessibility of recreational and athletic activities to all Indigenous individuals.

The Indigenous Sports Gallery also spotlights the amazing Indigenous athletes who have come from British Columbia. One section of the exhibit is dedicated to the legacy of Dawn Murphy, also known as Delta Dawn. Known for her impeccable strength and skill within the world of wrestling, Murphy travelled B.C. with an All-Star wrestling team while also competing for Japanese professional wrestling organizations. Dan Cloutier, a former star goalie of the Vancouver Canucks, was also celebrated in the exhibit. From 2001–04, Cloutier garnered three consecutive seasons with over 30 wins.

Terry Fox, in addition to being cherished for his philanthropic and athletic achievements, is also celebrated through the exhibit’s account of his Indigenous ancestry. In one portion of the exhibit, it’s revealed that, although he was unaware of it growing up, Fox and his family shared Métis heritage.

Moreover, although the Indigenous Sport Gallery provides an excellent account of many of B.C.’s Indigenous athletes, the most salient part of the exhibit is that it truly acknowledges how integral the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia have been to the development of sports in Canada. BC Place’s decision to replace the exhibit on the British Commonwealth games with the Indigenous Sports Gallery is indicative of what needs to commence in Canadian society. Through the BC Hall of Fame’s celebration of Indigenous athleticism, some of our province’s most skilled and iconic athletes are finally beginning to receive the widespread acknowledgement they deserve.

Green Party convention wraps up after three days in downtown Vancouver

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(The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)

Written by: Alex Harris, SFU Student

 

The Green Party of Canada held its biennial national meeting from September 28 to 30 at the Westin Bayshore in downtown Vancouver. The three-day event comes with less than thirteen months until the 2019 federal election, where Greens are hoping to ride a wave of recent provincial victories to increase their federal seat count in Ottawa.

Frequent refrains throughout the weekend included an emphasis on Indigenous reconciliation and engagement as well as giving a voice to those who traditionally have had difficulty being heard in government, such as youth and independent businesses.

“This isn’t about gaining power, it’s about empowerment,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May during her keynote address to Saturday’s convention crowd. “It’s time for the truth about corporate rule, the truth about electoral reform, the truth about reconciliation, and the truth about the climate crisis.”

In an interview with The Peak, national youth coordinator Isabella Robinson emphasized the importance of the under-30 demographic for the Green’s 2019 federal campaign and how the party has made room for youth voices through its Young Greens council.

“The Young Greens council is now a governance body within the party which makes decisions and advises the party on the strategic direction. Since moving to this model the Young Greens have seen a growth in their membership base,” noted Robinson.

Robinson says Green policy proposals such as free tuition and electoral reform in particular have been resonating with students. “The Green Party would like to erase student debt and offer free post-secondary education to all Canadians. We also believe in banning unpaid internships as we all deserve to be paid for our work.”

When it comes to jobs for new university graduates, Robinson said the Greens plan to tackle this issue through investment in certain industries. “We believe in creating jobs through investing in healthcare, education, and renewable energy.”

Proposals for the Greens’ 2019 election platform also came to a vote at the convention, including a pitch for government divestment from fossil fuels, forcing polluters to be accountable for clean-up costs, and constitutional recognition for Indigenous and treaty rights. These policies passed the convention vote and will now be put to the general membership for a final ratification vote.

The Green line-up of speakers included many from both the scientific and activist community. The convention’s opening night featured an address from Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon, professor in the Centre for Environment and Business.

Homer-Dixon stressed the need to engage the public through a meaningful focus on scientific facts and a realistic assessment of the path forward, particularly when it comes to climate change issues.

Although he did not speak, environmentalist David Suzuki was also present. “You know you have a great lineup of speakers when you have David Suzuki here and all he wants is to be in the audience,” quipped May.

Green politicians currently hold one seat federally, and nine seats in provincial governments. The next federal election takes place on October 21, 2019.

 

With files from Global News.

Selkirk dominate SFU in BCIHL season opener

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Not an ideal start to the season for the Clan. (Photo courtesy of SFU Hockey)

By: Dylan Webb

The Simon Fraser University hockey team lost to the Selkirk Saints on the opening night of the 2018–19 BCIHL season by a score of 7–1. The Saints’ offensive explosion began early with two goals in the first period from Dylan Heppler and Nolan Percival, and the Saints never looked back. The Clan are now 0–1 on the season.

Taking the 2–0 lead into the second period, the Saints promptly doubled their lead to 4–0 with goals from Parker Wakaruk and Edward Lindsay. SFU was held off the scoresheet until late in the third period despite outshooting the Saints.

In the third, the Saints sealed the win and chased Clan goaltender Michael Lenko from the game with three more tallies early in the frame. The home team rode the 7–1 lead to victory, making an unquestionable opening-night statement against one of their main rivals.

The three stars of the game were unsurprisingly all Saints. One silver lining for the Clan was having outshot the Saints by a margin of 40–28 by the end of the game despite the dominance displayed by the Saints on the score sheet. The team will need to carry positives such as this into the second game of the weekend if they hope to earn a split on their Castlegar road trip.

In goal, newly recruited netminder Michael Lenko allowed seven goals on 22 shots before being pulled early in the third period and replaced by goaltender Ryan Sandrin, who stopped all six shots he faced in the remainder of the game.

Asked for an assessment of what the team needs to improve in order to win their next game, Sandrin feels that “the most important thing for us will be staying cohesive as a unit. We have a lot of skill and the chances will come when we are patient and stick to our systems. It’s really a matter of us going back to basics for [Saturday].”

With the loss on Friday, Simon Fraser are now left with one more chance this season to earn a win in the Saints’ challenging home arena as the teams complete the first two of their five-game season series. The remaining three matchups are all to be played at Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby.

Following the second game in Castlegar on Saturday night, the team will head home to prepare for their home opener the following weekend against the defending league champions, the Trinity Western University Spartans, on Saturday, October 13.

World News Beat

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By: Nathaniel Tok, Peak Associate

 

HIV-AIDS infection rates on the rise in China

HIV-AIDS rates have increased around 14% in China since last year. Over 820,000 people were reported to have HIV or AIDS in June in the country. This marks an increase of around 100,000 cases since 2017 with almost 40,000 new cases in the second quarter of 2018 alone.

Since 2003, China has granted wide-ranging access to HIV treatment under universal health care to fight the disease.

The previous main method of transmission of HIV in rural parts of China was via infected blood transfusion. Government officials now report that this method of disease transmission has fallen to zero, meaning most of the new cases have been transmitted sexually.

With files from BBC News and Al Jazeera.

 

Attack on Facebook leaves information of users at risk

Around the end of September, Facebook announced that its servers had been attacked. The breach, exploiting a weakness in Facebook’s software code, left the information and the accounts of almost 50 million users at risk.

Facebook states it has since resolved the software vulnerabilities that led to the attack. But the firm still does not know the source or scale of the attack. Facebook is integrating programmers responsible for software security with its product team in the company to make product development more secure.

The American government has called for more congressional oversight of Facebook in response to the attack.

With files from The New York Times.

 

India’s supreme court rules in favour of biometric system use

India’s highest court has decided that the use of the nation’s biometric identity system, called Aadhaar, is not unconstitutional.

The system which contains information about the user’s face, iris and fingerprints, was mired with concerns over privacy violations in the use of Aadhaar. But the court stressed the usefulness of Aadhaar, stating that it helped the poor by providing access to welfare and social services. However, the court blocked government attempts to make Aadhaar compulsory for banking, and school or mobile registration.

Up to a billion people are already registered in Aadhaar since it began in 2010.

With files from BBC News and Reuters.

 

Mexican military detains Acapulco police

The Mexican military has disarmed the Acapulco police force in the southern state of Guerrero and detained around three of its high-ranking members on suspected ties to crimes, homicide, and for carrying unlicensed weapons. The police force itself is also currently under investigation. The state security ministry will take over policing duties in the city.

The city of Acapulco in the southern state of Guerrero has one of the highest murder rates in the world due to its drug networks and fighting between drug cartels.

With files from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

SFU hockey look to compete for BCIHL championship in 2018–19

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A strong group of veterans is accompanied by new speed and skill. (Photo courtesy of SFU Hockey)

By: Dylan Webb

The 2017–18 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) season ended as abruptly and early in the year as it ever has for the SFU men’s ice hockey team.

The team had dealt with a controversial season-ending ineligible player ruling that effectively removed SFU from its second-place position in the league standings and, by extension, suspended the team’s eligibility for the BCIHL playoffs. It was an unusual reason for the team to miss out on an opportunity at a BCIHL title. Understandably, a sense of frustration brewed palpably in the depths of the Bill Copeland sports centre.

However, as the calendar turned, lockers cleaned out, and some key veteran players graduated from the program, this frustration slowly began to transition into motivation for the 2018–19 season. As the Clan’s preseason wrapped up with a trip to Alaska last weekend, the transition was complete, and, with an injection of fresh and familiar faces fighting for roster spots and ice time, the team appears hungrier than ever before for a BCIHL title.

SFU completed preseason play with a 1–3 record, which is partially misleading, given that the team played three of their first four games against NCAA division 1 and CIS teams outside of their usual league. The Clan has already showcased a host of new roster additions, and will continue to do so as the season kicks off in Castlegar against the Selkirk College Saints on October 5. Having started the season with a 4–3 overtime win over the defending league champions, the Trinity Western University Spartans and following it up with a strong effort against a powerful UBC squad before heading to Alaska for even stiffer competition, the Clan has sharpened up in advance of its tilt with the Saints this Friday.

A key takeaway from the preseason thus far has been the improved depth and speed throughout the roster, as well as the intense competition underway for roster spots and regular playing time at all key positions.

Head coach Mark Coletta is confident this depth will pay off, saying that this year’s SFU hockey team should be “one of the fastest teams the BCIHL has ever seen.” Second-year forward Ian Mackey supports this assessment, stating that “we are a deeper team this year without a doubt, and with new guys stepping in, our speed and skill have gotten even better throughout the line-up.”

Speaking of a new line-up, the roster looks to shape up as follows:

Up front, returning forwards Jaret Babych, Eric Callegari, Mac Colasimone, Nicholas Holowko, Brendan Lamont, Mackey, Ryker Moreau, Spencer Unger and Nathan Washington are supplemented by new recruits Arjun Badh, Jordan Funk, Mathieu Jallabert, Mitch Ledyard, Cole Plotnikoff and Mitch Newsome while Graham Smerek, a point per game player in 2016–2017 before taking a year off, rejoining the squad.

On the back end, a solid core of returning veterans that includes Matthew Berry-Lamontagna, Darnel St. Pierre and Austin Adam is complemented by new recruits Arjan Cheema, Domenic Masellis, Matthew Holowko and Jamieson Ree.

In net, looking to replicate at least some of the strong statistics fourth-year veteran Lyndon Stanwood posted last season before moving on to professional hockey in Sweden are returning goaltenders Ryan Sandrin and Dylan Webb, joined by new recruits Michael Lenko from the SIJHL’s Red Lake Miners and Domenic Fritz.

With respect to staff, head coach Mark Coletta returns alongside assistant coach Jimmy Cammazola and new addition, Matt Grassi. New assistant coach Matt Grassi is a junior and university hockey veteran who was a BCHL All-Star with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Grassi won a silver medal with Canada in the World Junior A Championships, and went on to play four years in the NCAA with Michigan State prior to one season of professional hockey in the AHL and ECHL before retiring in 2014.

With a strong coaching staff complemented by director of hockey operations and BCIHL league president Chris Munshaw, the team benefits from a lot of continuity and experience in terms of both coaching and managerial personnel.

Expectations are high for an SFU squad that looks strong on paper, sharp, and ready to go at the conclusion of its training camp and exhibition schedule. Despite the BCIHL now playing in a five-team league as opposed to six, having lost Eastern Washington University as a member team that was one of the weaker links historically, the competitiveness of the league may, counterintuitively, have increased.

“There is always motivation every season to win a championship,” said Mackey, when The Peak asked how it felt competing after last season’s abrupt end. “The way things ended last year definitely adds a bit of extra fuel to the fire.”

Competitive and exciting hockey returns to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre with the Clan’s home opener on October 13, the week following the aforementioned regular season kick off in Castlegar on October 5 and 6. With two games against Selkirk and one against the defending league champion TWU Spartans, there is no time for easing into the season, as BCIHL heavyweights will square off for season opening points that will undoubtedly make a difference in playoff races in February and March.  Come check out some inter-university hockey as the Clan begin their pursuit of the 2018–2019 BCIHL championship.

 

Editor’s note: Dylan Webb is a member of the SFU Hockey Club.

A Student’s Letter to Generation X

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Illustrated by Cora Fu

Written by: Youeal Abera

Although I’m inundated with caffeine and stress,

As a student, there’s some things I’ve got on my chest.

You’d probably hate it if I sent this through a text,

So here’s my letter to Generation X.

 

We’ve fought and we’ve bickered, it’s been the same game —

“Who has it harder? Who is more lame?”

If you ask for my two cents, and some further loose change,

Gen X and millennials? I say we’re the same.

 

We’ve both faced vices at low-paying vocations.

We’ve both been young with financial limitations

Before you question the validity of our vexations,

Do you know what we’re facing in our education?

 

You see: our life as a student is like running on glass shards,

Even with sharp minds, we all end up scarred.

With stricter GPA’s to stay up to par,

when it comes to school, we have it the most hard.

 

Like getting hit in the shin with a grey-tint, razor scooter,

There’s pain in a student paying rent in Vancouver.

Like the price of Bey and Jay renting out the Louvre,

SFU’s room and board? An expensive manoeuvre!

 

You say we complain, but here’s an inquisition:

When you were our age, how much was tuition?

I’m trying to explain, I sure hope you’ll listen —

With thousands of more dollars, our tuition is different.

 

I’m not trying to quarrel, but here’s a question to instill:

Do you know the price to have our gas tanks filled?

To park one day at school costs two Netflix bills!  

$25? Can SFU chill?!                         

 

You’re probably thinking: it’s still not as bad as it seems.

OK, let’s look beyond the student-cost means.

To get a good job, you needed one degree —

We need two or three, and a cure to a disease.

 Y’all had it rough too, we do understand,

Life as a student doesn’t always go to plan.

Our only difference is time — but no matter the scheme, nor how grand,

Your failures didn’t end up on Instagram.

I know that you think all we do is complain,

That we Snapchat dinners with cheap-bought champagne.

This may call for eye-rolls, but hear when I say —

Gen. X and Millennials: we both wanted the same.

Political Opinion: The progress of the Korea summits is at risk of being stunted by the United States

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Photo from Reuters

Written by: Kelly Grounds, Peak Associate

The third summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in occurred in Pyongyang last week. The summit focused on North Korea’s part of the denuclearization pact. At the end of the summit, North Korea announced that it would be closing a missile test site in Tongchang-in, and their primary nuclear complex Yongbyon. Satellite imagery also confirms that the initial dismantling process has indeed begun.

Kim and Moon also spent part of the summit discussing an end to the Korean War. While an official end to the Korean War would need both China and the United States signing on, Kim and Moon would sign a peace treaty themselves or simply declare the Korean War over.

They also announced that there would be a fourth summit between the two Koreas. However, this next summit is going to occur in South Korea, marking it as the first time a leader from North Korea will travel to South Korea, further showing their desire to pursue creating diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.

While this summit appears to show progress between the Koreas, there is still a major factor to these summits — the United States. North Korea’s haste and willingness to participate in these summits may be partially linked to its desire to reopen negotiations with the United States. A reliable alliance between the Koreas provides strength in case this meeting results in greater tension or conflict with America.

This is a significant risk, as the foreign policy of the United States has been unpredictable lately, and it could potentially undo all of the progress made between the two Koreas. Moon’s September meeting with President Trump will be Moon’s chance to secure the status of North Korea’s current deal. If that meeting goes poorly, hopefully it doesn’t prevent future progress, or harm the monumental progress that’s already been made.

More lies to tell your kids

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Illustrated by Marissa Ouyang

Written by: Jennifer Low

Let’s be honest: we were all told some interesting lies by our parents to make our childhood more “magical” or keep us out of trouble. Now that we are “all grown up” (or at least enough to ride the bus by ourselves) it’s time to start thinking about how we can screw up our own children in our own very specific way . . .

Lie #1: Convince your children that every holiday is actually a week later

Boxing Day sales are way better than that mad Christmas shopping rush; but it always occurs after you need it most. Similarly, prices of Valentine’s Day chocolate and Easter eggs drop substantially after the day of the event. Imagine how much of that hard-earned cash you could save if you could actually take advantage of these deals.

Lie #2: Show your children Pinocchio and convince them that their nose gets a little bit bigger every time they lie.

Ah, there’s nothing quite like the fear of a disproportionate facial structure, and of course the looming threat of an eventual transition into a donkey, to keep your children honest. From slowly filling your house with fun-house mirrors to using the photo booth app on your laptop as evidence, fooling your child into being truthful has never been so easy! You’ll know for sure that it works when every time your child does lie, they will feel the immediate urge to cover their nose.

Lie #3: Tell your children: “That toy doesn’t use batteries.”

All toys are electronic these days, and listening to that toy teapot sing nursery rhymes and hearing Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol on a loop is enough to drive anyone crazy. Imagine if children didn’t realize that their iPad could be charged or RC cars could be driven remotely. An iPad might be used as a miniature desk for writing and the RC car might be treated like a Hot Wheels car. Convincing your child that their toys don’t “do” anything might be the greatest push they need to be imaginative and creative for once. I mean, as children, we were perfectly content playing and eating grass for hours: who needs Angry Birds or Candy Crush right? We turned out just fine.

Lie #4: Tell your children: “Eating watermelon seeds will grow a watermelon in your stomach”

My parents convinced me of this particular lie for years. Not only was I living in constant fear of growing fruit in my stomach, insisting on poking out every seed I found in my fruit salad, but also I never choked and died, so that’s a plus.

Lie #5: Convince your children that the monster under their bed will eat their toys if they do not keep their room clean.

The fear of a monster under the bed is already there, so why not take advantage? You can take this a step farther by making scary noises while your child sleeps. If your child is still not convinced, slowly begin throwing away some of their toys when they are not looking, shred a few of their socks, or disfigure some stuffed animals.

 

Normalizing negative news isn’t inherently bad

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Photo by Maxwell Gawlick / The Peak

Written by: Shannon Foss, SFU Student

Bad news gets people talking because it has the shock factor, it’s tragic, and it’s probably something you can never imagine actually happening to yourself. Did you hear about the SFSS sexual harassment allegations? Did you follow the mother orca who carried her dead calf for days? I don’t recall “Running smoothly as planned” ever being considered newsworthy.

While it is important to stay informed, the decision to include and not include news stories in your personal feed is a political one. It’s also an easy decision to make when our media is  so encompassed by hate, money, and power.

The problem is, regular exposure to so much violence and negative news normalizes it, meaning each time we hear about a hateful crime or a disaster, it becomes less startling. The technology we use to consume this news diminishes it further, as consuming it through a screen puts a barrier between us and the events we read about.

This article itself may seem like negative news, so here is something positive about negative news: there are people and organizations like the Good News Network, Sunny Skyz News and Solutions Journalism Network. looking to bring more positive solution-based journalistic practices to news outlets. News doesn’t have to be an inherently negative subject in our media diet — it just depends on how it’s written and detailed.

But this is far from just the media’s fault. We as readers need to both think more critically of the sources and topics we read on, and follow up with calls-to-action. A call-to-action is an opportunity for a reader/viewer to engage and participate, through things like protests and petitions and sharing among certain group. This is something only made possible by technology and social media, and can counteract the distance that it causes between the screen and reality.

News and the things we consume in our media diet are more than headlines and distress. A regular stream of negative news topics is not inherently bad to have. Its effect on us and the world are determined entirely by how we read it, where it comes from, and what we do about it.