Brandeis University's Community Newspaper — Waltham, Mass.
Anyone who turns on the television today, or reads any number of Internet blogs is able to feel the acidic nature of contemporary American politics. Politicians use the most incendiary rhetoric to describe their opponents and talk as if the world would collapse if disfavored platforms were implemented. As a result of this environment, voters […]
Upon Steve Jobs’ death last year, I wrote about the importance of technology in our lives, and conversely, the importance of stepping back from technology and experiencing the world around us. For the second year in a row, I didn’t attend services on Yom Kippur. Instead, I spent time with friends, setting myself up for […]
According to Wired News, in January 2002, about 41,000 people created new blogs using popular blog host, Blogger. My first inspiration to write down my thoughts came from a friend who had been doing the same for some time. She has filled so many books over the years that she has to devote more than […]
There’s an old adage that says, “sharing is caring.” While sharing stuff is great when it comes to sentiments, childhood toys and ideas for what to do on a Friday night, there are some things that just shouldn’t be shared. Like test answers or the flu. Now, cellphone data plans can be added to the […]
We are in the midst of celebrating the Jewish New Year, year 5773. Rosh Hashanah, which literally translates to “Head of the Year,” is observed during the course of two days and celebrates the creation of the world. It is the beginning of the Jewish High Holidays, arriving before Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. […]
There are two different types of Brandeis seniors. The first sort resembles members of other class years, going to meetings, running club events and doing their homework at reasonably appropriate times. You would never suspect that these seniors have a deeply buried aneurysm-in-waiting because they know that inevitably, college has to end: for the great […]
A few days ago, a tape was released of a United States presidential candidate, disavowing 47 percent of U.S. citizens as living beyond his help. This, however, did not strike me as particularly surprising. Every once in a while, the shiny, populist veneer of our politicians fades for just a second and we get a […]
Many of us have seen the leaked video of Mitt Romney, speaking privately about Obama voters who he feels pay no federal income taxes: the “47 percent that believe they are entitled to health-care, food, housing, to you-name it.” He continues to say that these people “do not take personal responsibility or care for their […]
As the High Holy Days come to a close with Yom Kippur, the Jewish community’s focus turns to making amends for wrongs we have committed in the past year. We are commanded to ask forgiveness. During services we chant prayers like Al Cheit, a list of mistakes we have made, whether “under duress and willingly,” […]
Two weeks ago, I wrote a column that discussed the idea of learning from a liberal arts perspective, rather than receiving a seemingly more “practical” education. I mentioned learning things that seem totally irrelevant: “While I’ve certainly sat in class and wondered how learning about a honeybee’s waggle dance is ever going to be relevant, […]
