opinion
Classroom cussing reflects reality, plain and simple
January 18, 2016[dropcap]S[/dropcap]hould professors be allowed to drop F-bombs in lecture? For years, Dr. Michael Persinger’s first-year psychology course at Laurentian University has included a disclaimer form on the first day of class that warns students of the use of foul language. To me, this is ideal. However, the school recently removed Persinger from his teaching position for administering these “Statement of Understanding” forms. The document informed students of a list of nearly 30 potentially offensive words that they would encounter in the course, including homophobic and sexual slurs as well as vulgar and obscene language. The document suggests that if a…
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GUESS AGAIN, GRANDPA!: Don’t lock me up in a mental institution
January 18, 2016Guess Again, Grandpa! is a brand new column by Rachel Wong. Each week Rachel argues against her grandfather's perspectives, presenting insights into the differences between generations. Check back every week for new content! [dropcap]H[/dropcap]aving a conversation about mental health can be…
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New gene editing technology must proceed with caution
January 18, 2016[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s seems to happen regularly these days, scientific developments have turned science fiction into science fact. It is now feasible for humans to ‘edit’ their genes, perhaps much like I, a writer, am editing this article and ensuring every aspect…
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Why your New Year’s resolutions keep failing
January 4, 2016[dropcap]S[/dropcap]o, we’re a few days into 2016. Have you been keeping up with your new year’s resolutions? You might be doing well so far, but chances are you have a feeling that this success won’t last long. Don’t worry, you’re…
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A new governmental appreciation of science holds promise for climate change
December 2, 2015[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter nine years of silence, scientists who work for the Canadian government are once more free to speak to the media. This means that Canadians will again be able to hear about publicly funded research from the scientists themselves, and…
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App that tracks the homeless is simply dehumanizing
November 30, 2015[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hoever first claimed that all publicity is good publicity had either lived a very charmed life until that point or invested in a very large bottle of vodka that night. Depending on the circumstances, naively placing someone under an unsolicited…
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SFU White Student Union is an opportunity for dialogue, not anger
November 30, 2015[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n Tuesday November 24, a group called the SFU White Student Union surfaced on Facebook, bringing the issue of white privilege and ignorance to the forefront of discussion on campus. Unsurprising in the least, student responses to the page have…
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Our portrayals of indigenous struggle are far too narrow
November 30, 2015In response to the challenges ahead, our new prime minister Justin Trudeau has promised to meet with indigenous leaders before year’s end and hold an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Although these are important steps in government-indigenous relations,…
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Male contraceptives: it’s about time!
November 30, 2015[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he pill, the shot, the IUD. We women are given a range of options when it comes to methods of birth control. Men, on the other hand, have no comparable options. This is not fair. Though it’s true that condoms…
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Would an emoji by any other name sound as sweet?
November 30, 2015[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s that glorious time of the year when the ‘best of’ lists begin, and (insert generic noun here) of the year are announced. As a lover of year-end lists created by groups of people arbitrarily deciding what singular thing best…
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