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(01/22/07 2:22pm)
Creepy, annoying and pointless. These are a few of the words used to describe Facebook. But is the Web site, accessible and stalker friendly as it might be, really the great social stitch in our side causing us to double over in friendship exhaustion? \nThe sheer popularity of the site should be a key indicator that it is at least of some social worth. The site receives almost 4 billion page hits per day. Many of those are undoubtedly college students that are simply looking to see if the photos from their drunken weekends have been posted. But it is becoming more evident with every passing day (and news report) that Facebook is more than just a college social sphere concentrated on the drunken and disorderly. Rather, it is becoming the mode by which students and other members of communities, both academic and otherwise, are able to gain much needed support from their peers.\nBeing alone in a given situation, especially one that is extremely stressful, is detrimental to the physical health of the individual. Characteristics in relationships that support good health are "being close and connected, being able to solve problems and make decisions as a team, being able to cope with a variety of situations together and being able to talk honestly and openly," according to a report from McMaster University. These characteristics bear a strong resemblance to the opportunities and connections that Facebook allows.\nFor example, I am currently a member of a Facebook group entitled "I Miss Josh Brown." Josh Brown was a member of my graduating class. He died on Aug. 26, 2006. Facebook has provided a wonderful way for those who knew him to share their memories and grieve collectively. Having the collective support of so many people (the group has 98 members) that have become disjointed since graduation has helped us cope. Also, the site provides a means by which groups are taking action. The Students' Smokefree Coalition at Indiana University is attempting to get the administration to ban smoking on campus. The Facebook group "PLEASE ban smoking on IU's campus" has been created in order to support the stance. The event "Keep the Music Alive" was created in order to protest the possible selling of Verizon Wireless Music Center. These are indicators that Facebook is doing a great social service in providing a forum for open debate and communication.\nIt may be a stretch to say that without Facebook, many users would fall into a disease-ridden stupor because they lack the support of other users. But for all the complaints about the site, it seems that it (and other sites like it) is one of the most innovative creations in regard to important social communication that has been thus far conceived in the Internet realm. I'm not saying that the Web site (like any creation) doesn't have its pitfalls. But it is in fact one of the most important factors affecting college life today.
(01/15/07 7:10pm)
When New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens' 3-point attempt at the buzzer clanged against metal and fell to the hardwood on Jan. 1, Texas Tech coach Bob Knight finally overtook former North Carolina coach Dean Smith for the most wins in NCAA Division 1 men's basketball history. It was a grand achievement for a man of unwaveringly stony character and high basketball intellect. While the IU community recognizes the achievement as evidence of Knight's importance to the game, the Hoosier nation no doubt feels it is partly responsible for this record. \nDuring his 29 years with the Hoosiers, Knight won 662 games. Six hundred sixty-two times opposing players hung their heads in defeat. Six hundred sixty-two times, Knight strode to the scorers table at midcourt and shook the hand of an opposing coach, who, despite exhaustive preparation, could not outwit the IU coach.\nSix hundred sixty-two. That's right. Six hundred sixty-two. And yet on two separate occasions, Knight, despite all he meant for IU basketball during his tenure and after, has been denied entry into the IU Athletic Hall of Fame. \n"How can this be?" a distant observer might ask. \nThe numbers alone should make him an honored member of IU history: 662 wins, 11 Big Ten titles, three national titles and one perfect 32-0 season, in 1976. And if that isn't enough (which seems completely ludicrous), the University's national exposure due to Knight's behavior and demeanor should capture him a place of honor.\nEven now, with Knight hardly mentioning IU in his postgame comments, how will the crimson and cream administration respond to the achievement of its long-time coach?\nFor those of us who were born before 2000, it seems odd that coach Knight obtained the record while wearing black and red instead of crimson and cream. We became so used to the General commanding his troops in battle, that when the news came that Knight was fired, with Mike Davis taking over the position, opinions exploded in a mess and Hoosier nation fell into a momentary state of pandemonium. \nBut despite what each individual Hoosier thinks of Knight -- great coach or bad man -- it would be a continued lack of respect for the University to deny him entry into its hall of fame. The throwing of a chair, disciplining of players and his abhorrence of the media aside, it's time the University gives recognition where it is due, and it is certainly due to Knight.\nWhether IU coach Kelvin Sampson can lead IU basketball to its past glory will have little impact on the way many fans feel about the coaching of the IU men's basketball team. Bob Knight is simply our coach. The man ignoring IU in his media comments cannot change that; nor can a new face yelling at the refs from the sidelines. And certainly former IU President Myles Brand's decision to fire Knight, in retrospect, did not remove him from his position in the hearts of fans. \nSo at Texas Tech as Knight continues to accumulate wins and extend his unparalleled basketball prowess, much of IU nation will look on with this message: Best of luck, Coach.
(01/10/07 11:01pm)
During winter break while spending time in my hometown of Lafayette (in the depths of Boilermaker country), I developed a desperate longing to return to IU. While I enjoy time with my family and old friends, something inside simply pulls me to Bloomington. And for many students, I'm quite sure it is the same. \nIU has many faces. It is a different place for every student who sets foot on the campus. Whether it's a group of friends we are close to, a job we can't live without, an activity that inspires us or the memories of love present and past, the characteristics of IU vary. Such is an amazing feature that it has to offer. But there is something more to IU that draws us here. It's a bond, something that holds us together -- that each and every one of us is a Hoosier. It is unclearly defined but clearly evidenced.\nThat bond results in so many taking pride in the high rankings of IU departments, such as the Kelley School of Business and School of Journalism, despite their varying levels of interaction with each, and it results in advocacy for them by all Hoosiers alike. It's what drives us to denounce reports such as the Princeton Review when they inaccurately assess IU's student body. \nIt's what caused a commonly held sense of frustration and subdued congratulations as Bobby Knight won his 880th game. So many of us at IU were not present under the Knight era, yet he was the popular face for all Hoosiers for 29 years at the University. It is with a bittersweet taste that IU must take this victory.\nAnd it's why so many students looked solemnly at the headlines on Oct. 31, 2006, some letting their eyes drop in remembrance, others tearing up with sorrow and still others with a type of grim satisfaction. \nAs the news broke that John R. Myers II had been found guilty by a jury for the 2000 murder of IU sophomore Jill Behrman, students, faculty and alumni all felt the shock waves of the decision. And again, so few of us ever met Jill Behrman. On that day we mourned her loss, those of us who were so distant from her passing, absolutely because of the pain to her family and absolutely because of its tragic nature -- but also because she was one of us, undoubtedly tied to each and every individual who has passed through and entered IU.\nSo as we return for yet another semester of classes, jobs, fun and newfound relationships, it may be worth identifying what IU is to you. And when you discover the answer, cherish what is found as your own, for we are all individuals here with different views of the same world. And then, when you know what or who IU is, know this as well: I, for one, will never hesitate to stand up next to you and proudly call myself a Hoosier
(01/05/07 6:11pm)
Winter break for many students and faculty was a time of relaxation and mellow visits with family and old friends.\nSeized by holiday spirit, some took the opportunity to spread joy and cheer in their respective communities or assist at various charitable events. But not all. Many spent the winter break concentrated on one glorious moment -- when they could pack their bags, load the car and make the trek back to Bloomington to get on with their lives, uninterrupted by annoying families, people they would rather keep as far away as possible, and the generally bothersome stress that comes with the holiday season.\nIt is such stress (whether its cause is economical, personal or otherwise) that results in the commonplace poor holiday experience. Indeed, according to District Judge Stephen Gerlis in commentary for the Times Online, family courts often see an upheaval of domestic dispute injunctions in January as a result of family-charged atmosphere, money being spent where there is none to be had, time for reflection and realization of poor situations and, of course, alcohol. \nAnd now this column will proceed in giving thoughts on the evil that is alcohol, condemn its use in all settings, blame it for every problem that has ever arisen in the history of mankind and damn anyone who chose to consume it over break (including myself).\nWrong! So the column will proceed in giving thoughts that alcohol consumption during the holiday season was the best way to make it through the time you spent locked up with your mother or father with no chance of bail.\nWrong again! Rather there are simply some risks and benefits involved with such alcohol consumption that may be useful to know.\nFor instance, given that 34 percent of men and 27 percent of women use alcohol to deal with stress, according to PersonnelToday.com, it comes as little surprise that greater than half of American adults have what Medical News Today calls "direct" family experience with alcohol problems. With assault cases and domestic disputes around the holiday season, this is a clear problem. \nHowever, with the stress brought on by the holiday season (which generally affects us all), pouring shots of Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 might seem like a good alternative to screaming children, pushy parents and kissing aunts (to all my aunts: It's cool. I still love you). And you can admit that Jack may have been the guy you needed to see to cheer you up just enough to be pleasant around your family. That's a benefit if I've every seen one.\nSo here we are, back at IU, ready to learn or teach and once again swim in the glorious sea of cream and crimson. The wait is over for those counting down the days. And maybe rather than drinking to deal with the stress brought on by encounters with your family, avoid going home for spring break. Take a vacation and drink for fun.
(12/08/06 12:43am)
I fear that we, as the Opinion section, have reached a misunderstanding with our readers. And this week I hope to reconcile some differences that have come to light during the fall 2006 semester.\nFirst, it has been brought to my attention in our weekly Jordan River Forum that there is a recognizable number of readers disappointed in the Opinion content this semester. This might be because there is seldom a fun complimentary letter to write.\nIn fact, the job of the Opinion section is to spur intellectual and social conversation, and criticism is inevitable in any such undertaking. That criticism is welcome. But to be straightforward, I would hope that Opinion will continue to publish content not everyone agrees with and, when appropriate, is critical of decision-making around campus. One of the primary duties of a newspaper is to be a watchdog of the University bureaucracy and government, and the Opinion section is a major element in that process. It cannot shy away from this responsibility because of negative sentiment from those being watched.\nSecond, it seems to be a common view that the columnists and the editorial board spend most of their time complaining about issues without taking action. I completely understand how this could be a common misconception among readers.\nOn the surface, it might appear that we sit behind computer monitors and arbitrarily choose topics and organizations to pick fights with, our only purpose being to complain, not fix the problems we see. But this assumption is a misconception.\nThe Opinion section is, in fact, taking a great action. We speak. And speaking is the impetus to change. As columnists, we take this action every week by identifying problems we perceive and bringing them to the attention of readers. We speak so that you may respond, whether in agreement or disagreement, and begin the motion of change or stand against the pressure of peers.\nFinally, the Opinion section might be perceived as lazy to some readers. I can only give you my personal experience of the work ethic of the staff and the decision-making of its leaders. I assure you that no decision is made lightly and that possible alternatives to every column, editorial or front piece are exhaustively considered. \nAll of these things being said, I'm sure that I have not convinced many skeptics among our readers. That's fine. But as Opinion editor for the spring 2007 semester, I have a challenge for those disappointed in opinion coverage over the last few months: Change it. We are currently accepting applications for spring 2007 Opinion columnists and your voice is wanted. Applications are available at idsnews.com or in the offices of the IDS in Ernie Pyle Hall.\nWe look forward to new voices and more people interested in taking action and bringing about change.