THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2005
PAGE 5A
WWW.KANSAN.COM
SAY A LITTLE PRATHER FOR YOU
After these messages
Between the time you wake up and eat your cereal to the time you turn off "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," how many advertisements do you think you have been exposed to? According to the Newspaper Association of America, the average American is exposed to more than 3,000 advertising messages in one day.
While this may seem like an outrageous number, just think about your day from start to finish.
Listening to the radio, reading any newspaper, logging on to the Internet, watching television or reading US Weekly at the Student Recreation Fitness Center constitutes exposure to the media and advertising.
Maybelline mascara promises "Longer, fuller lashes." Victoria's Secret promises "fuller, perkier breasts." Neutrogena promises "natural looking makeup."
With such a sensory overload, one can become accustomed to advertisements and come to accept them or brush them off. But, they may have more of an affect on you than you know.
The goal of longer, fuller, perkier and better is a nice way of saying "you aren't good enough the way you are." Your lashes aren't long or full enough, your breasts could use a little oomph and since when did makeup look
ERICA PRATHER
opinion@kansan.com
The goal of longer, fuller, perkier and better is a nice way of saying, "you aren't good enough the way you are."
natural at all? Facial skin is blotchy, pimply and has a tendency to be the same color as the rest of your bodily skin.
I own the aforementioned products because I want to put my best face forward and accentuate my best features.
There are times, however, when I see a perfectly airbrushed model and feel a slight pang of inadequacy.
This feeling is the realization that I will never acquire impossible perfection combined with the fear that I will be compared subconsciously or consciously to the model with cleavage spilling out on the cover of Cosmopolitan.
By no means am I advocating the burning of pushup bras or the boycotting of makeup companies. I am merely drawing attention to
messages that bombard you, as a consumer, in your daily life.
They may simply seem like great catch phrases,but the repetitive nature of advertisements has a lasting effect.
Advertisements are a great way to sell a product, but they also serve as a means to implant an impractical ideal into a nation's psyche.
The American Psychological Association conducted a study in 2000 on the effects of advertising on children.
"Children under the age of eight are unable to critically comprehend televised advertising messages and are prone to accept advertiser messages as truthful, accurate and unbiased," according to the research. This same source stated that advertisers spent more than $12 million in campaigns targeted toward the youth.
This is abuse of developing young minds and is detrimental to society's perception of human worth.
There is nothing wrong with expressing yourself with makeup and using beauty products but know that a makeup free face has its appeal and that no push-up bra can continually perk up your self-esteem. You are the same great person in sweats as you are in your Sunday best.
- Prather is a Wichita junior in English and communication studies.
STAND UP!
While Fall Break was just a refreshing vacation from school for most you, I left my visit to Chicago with more questions than answers.
I had just turned 21 and I knew it was going to be an unforgettable break, but I never expected to end up outside of a bar at 4 a.m., crying with my best friend, wondering if life had passed me by.
Don't start a rush-lationship
My friends from back home and I had not seen each other in a while, because we were all in different places, doing our own things, but it was good to see them all there that night. We had about 40 to 50 people in our group.
I was one of the few single guys there. So, looking around, seeing all my friends with their girlfriends, some even with kids now. I got to thinking.
I have gone to four weddings this year and I'm already going to a couple next summer.
I couldn't shake them. Maybe it was time for me to start dating seriously.
This might be the last time my friends and I get to do this together. These thoughts ran through my head all night.
It seems like every relationship I have been in, the girl has had higher expectations than I did, and all I ended up doing was disappointing her. Every girl, since she was little, has had that classic Romeo and Juliet-type fantasy.
This can be blamed on Hollywood and its unrealistic approach to romance. All I have ever dreamed about in a relationship can be summed up in the lyrics of "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton.
JOEL SIMONE opinion@kansan.com
Nothing over-the-top or extravagant, just something relaxed with a person who makes you smile.
Relationships seem to move faster through your college years than any other time in your life.
I think that most people are not ready for a relationship when they begin them and that is why break-ups have become so common.
There are certain things that guys in relationships do that I have refused to do, and that is why I am on the outside looking in.
One day, you are all about each other, and then next, you cannot stand to walk on the same side of the street as the person.
I do not do that daily call, "just to say hello." I cannot have a phone conversation for more than 10 minutes.
Also, I refuse going shopping with girls, because they make it an all day adventure out of what should be a 20-minute errand. These are just some little
things, but trust me, they add up.
But sometimes I can't help wonder if doing all those little annoying things might pay off in the end.
It's tough to look at all your friends with girlfriends, and not feel a little left out.
A lot of people associate having a serious relationship with growing up, but I don't fully buy into that yet.
I feel more like trial-and-error, and the valuable experiences you get from them are more important than just the success of finding yourself in a relationship.
We're still in college, and though a lot of you are about to graduate, don't go rushing and doing something that you are not ready for.
Don't take the track star approach in relationships, jumping from one to the next without being able to enjoy being single. It's nice to go out and know you have no strings attached to you.
But for the small percentage of you who have actually found someone special, all I can say is, it must be nice. I hope they are worth it.
From someone who has let every good girl in his life slip away, let me tell you this: You'll never miss that special someone until they're gone, and that is reality.
- Simone is a Chicago Heights,
  junior in journalism.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Haunted house mischaracterized
Mr. Garcia, my name is Troy Covey, the senior pastor of Solomon's Porch Church. I am the "jerk" director you mentioned in your colorful letter to the editor about our haunted house. I haven't had much time to respond because of the overwhelming success of Nightmare so I'll be brief.
Did you really think you could get away with making false statements and accusations on a fair, balanced and truth-seeking media source? I will clarify and set the record straight on just a few of the many maligned statements you have made.
1. We except credit cards, checks and cash.
2. There is a cast of more than 150 actors and technicians each night, and there was more face paint and things flying at you in the dark than any other haunted house in town.
3. No one "forced" you to do anything, Mr. Garcia. We could never get away with that.
4. The entire cast, crew and survey team (more than 250 each night) volunteers to work; virtually no one is paid! They are all working to build our deeply needed youth center here in midtown where there are few options for the youth.
5. Over-zealous religious people? Are you aware that there are people on the cast and crew who do not have Christian beliefs? In fact, one man would defend his
I'm truly saddened your experience was not a desirable one. However, thousands did enjoy it immensely and over 250 people have received help from our counselors.
agnosticism aggressively. Though this is the case, we all work in harmony fighting for a cause: awareness. A number of our cast and crew would have real problems with you assertions.
6. The money you paid was a donation. Read the ticket.
7. Less than 2 percent of people who have experienced the Nightmare thought that it was a bad idea, so I guess you are really the minority here, Mr. Garcia. But this is America and the minority should have a voice.
this letter) I'm viewing a release form with your signature. The first sentence on this form says "Warning! Graphic depiction of real life trauma and violence!" How did you miss that?
One more thing Mr. Garcia, the entire show is approximately 25 minutes long. Why did it take you 25 minutes to decide you wanted your money back after stating you were offended by one of the first rooms?
Lastly, Mr. Garcia, you seemed to be an intelligent man after speaking to you on the phone the other day, however, I still cannot fathom after three attempts on our part to prepare you for what you were about to see (ticket desk, waiver, video) how you missed it.
Your actions could be likened to going to a restaurant and ordering a sandwich. You took a bite and said "I don't think I like this," another bite and said, "I really don't like this and I shouldn't have to pay for it!"
I'm truly saddened your experience was not a desirable one. Thousands did enjoy it intensely and more than 250 people have received help from our counselors. The Nightmare is half the price, and twice the show in town. Come and experience it with us!
Then, while finishing the sandwich and licking your fingers you said "I really didn't like the sandwich and I want my money back!"
Just a quick thanks as well. Mr. Garcia, for calling every news outlet in the community. I have taken calls all day, and any press is good press!
Troy Covey Director of Nightmare
In front of me (while writing
TALK TO US
Austin Caster, editor
864-4854 or acaster@kansan.com
Matthew Sevcik; opinion editor
864-4924 or msevcik@kansan.com
Joshua Bickel, managing editor 864-4854 or jbicket@kansan.com
Jonathan Kealing, managing editor 864-4854 or ikealing@kansan.com
Sarah Connelly, business manager
864-4014 or adddirector@kansan.com
John Morgan, sales director
864-4462 or addirector@kansan.com
SUBMISSIONS
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser
864-7667 or mglibson@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
884-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Austin Caster at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
**Maximum Length:** 200 word limit
**Include:** Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
Maximum Length: 650 word limit
Include: Author's name; class, home-town (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
Also: The Kansas will not print guest
GUEST COLUMN
GUIDELINES
Also: The Kansas will not print guess columns that attack another columnist
EDITORIAL BOARD
Eile Ford, Yanting Wang, Joel Simone, Dan Hoyt, Anne Wetmer, Jolie Parlis, Nathan McGinnis, Josh Goettung, Sara Garick, Travis Brown, Julian Portillo, David Archer
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Bride of Free for All @ www.kansan.com
The guy that answers the message machine is wack! He is wack! I hate to tell you that, Daily Kansan, but take that!
My room flooded and I really enjoy apple pies from McDonald's.
I just saw my roommate topless in the kitchen, and she didn't even care.
I know the person who found the Homecoming Medallion and she is really cool and really smart.
♦
So, I just helped my large guy friend put on a red, lacy bra.
A note for all the smokers out there: Smoking does not make you cool, it gives you heart disease and cancer!
This is for the boys who play tennis outside of Robin-
son every day around 2:30 who look sort of like twins
and are all chiseled. Thank you. Thank you so much.
You are my eye-candy every day.
Whelp, Eric Jorgensen's got another opinion column in the paper. Better call in and make fun of him for it even though I haven't read it yet.
Who is Eric Jorgensen paying to keep writing in the paper?
Guy 1: Did you know that an apple is nature's toothbrush? Because, um...
Guy 2: No! No! You gotta say it in the voice!
I was moving stuff around for the Linguistics department the other day, and I wondered to myself, is a tiny computer screen considered a baby monitor?
Yeah, can you put the Bitch and Moan column from the 20th up on the Web site? It's kind of hard to cut and paste it to my blog to make fun of it because of the new guy. Editor's note: Oh yeah. I make fun of a student publication on my blog. I'm the epitome of cool.
There. I said it.
I just went to an extra class today because I needed somewhere to sleep.
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I think Garfield is a great comic!
People shouldn't smoke cigarettes at bus stops, because then I'm forced to smell that crap.
Attention McColum students: If you live on the 10th floor or lower, and you are not carrying laundry, please use the stairs.
I'm watching One Crazy Summer on Comedy Central, and John Cusack has a popped collar. So, maybe it is kind of cool to pop your collar.
It is my opinion that US magazine has way too many exclamation points.
I just went to Party Central and covered all the Mizzou and K-State stuff with Jayhawk stuff! That's right. That's right.
My roommate has a jug of urine in his closet. Why can't he just use the bathroom?
♦
Way to be a hypocrite, Julie Oborny. I saw you posing as a stereotypical white couple in the Jayplay.
Who dey? Who dey? Who dey?
To all the idiots that drive up and park at the fountain to pick up their friends: Obviously, your friends aren't there yet, so keep it moving! You idiots!
♦
So, my fraternity brother is making me watch "As Good as it Gets" on Lifetime right now. What the hell?
I think that the girls who wear the furry boots look slutty, especially if they wear them with sweat pants. You are stupid.
If I open the door for you, just walk through it. Don't go to the door right next to it. OK. I understand, you're a guy. I'm a guy. No one is going to think you are gay. No one is going to point and laugh. It is not necessary to be rude in this situation. You're not gay. Just walk through the door.
Dear UDK, thank you for finally noticing the things that our fraternities and sororites do for philanthropy stuff. It's nice to see someone finally give us some notification for what we do.
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So, I went to my T.A.'s discussion today, and I'm pretty sure I want to pillage her village with a vengeance.
Why am I still watching Lifetime channel?
What's with all the Jeep people and like their Jeep Web sites and their Jeep clubs and their Jeep secret handshakes. It's creepy! I hate it!
All right, Calculus book, I get it. I can take an anti-
derivative. I don't think the 22nd example is going to
be any more enlightening than the first 211
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