THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS MANAGEMENT
Editör-in-chief
Cadha Flanigan MacDuff
Managing editor-production Cher Horowitz
Managing editor - digital media Marnie Cromwell
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PAGE 2A
Associate digital media editor Flynn Grey III
ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT
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NEWS SECTION EDITORS
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News editor
Mila Progo
Sports editor Jett Jackson
Associate sports editor Bob
Entertainment editor Zoe Starwood
Special sections editor Jim Bounie
Head copy chief Jed I. Knight
Copy chiefs
Beyoncé
Kelly
Michelle
Design chiefs
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Eymah Hogh
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Rachel Skater
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Sunshine Magee
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Sales and marketing adviser Don Draper
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The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of The Kansan are 50 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS., 66045.
The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4967) is published daily during the school year except Friday, Saturday, Sunday, fall break, spring break and exams and weekly during the summer session excluding holidays. Annual subscriptions by mail are $250 plus tax. Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue
Check out KUJH-TV on Wow! of Kansas Channel 31 in Lawrence for more on what you've read in today's Kansan and other news. Also see KUJH's website at tvku.edu.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014
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WEDNESDAY
What's the weather, Jay?
HI: 73
LO: 61
weather.com
Tornado watch. An 80 percent chance of rain Winds NW at 87 mph.
This must be Kansas.
HI: -3
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THURSDAY
Blizzard conditions. A 100 percent chance of snow. Winds ESE at 15 mph.
Or is it Alaska?
FRIDAY
HI: 116
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Nope, it's Arizona.
Heat advisory. Zero percent chance of rain. Winds NW at 2 mph.
Tuesday, April 1
What: Kim Kardashian autograph signing
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Kansas Union, 4th floor
About: Don't miss America's favorite diva and reality TV star when she visits campus, learns the Rock Chalk Chant and sits in on Biology 100.
She'll even sign your arm and let you kiss her baby.
Wednesday, April 2
What: Cage fighting tryouts When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Where: 101 Strong Hall About: Are you a closet athlete waiting for your true calling? Do you enjoy injuries, fighting for money losing teeth and potential brain damage? Then try out for the Kansas Cage-fighting team and show your school spirit.
Thursday, April 3
What: Free Taco Bell breakfast When: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Where: various locations across campus
About: In an effort to gain a breakfast following, Taco Bell will hand out free breakfast items from its newest menu. Unlimited breakfast tacos for all students, faculty and staff.
Friday, April 4
TELEVISION
What: Naked 5k Race
When: 9 a.m.
Where: Jayhawk Boulevard
About: Running in the nude never felt so good. For $25, you can streak down Jayhawk Boulevard with your fellow peers. Best part? It's a judgement-free zone.
Netflix binging threatens health
CHER HOROWITZ news@kansan.com
Her eyes began to glaze over as the dimly lit red screen flashed, "8 seconds until next episode." She couldn't remember the last time she showered or her last encounter with another human. It didn't matter.
The only thing that mattered in this moment was Olivia Pope's fabulous white ensemble and her juicy affair with the president.
"Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever reenter the real world," said senior Alexandra Johnson while she kept her eyes steady on her laptop screen. "But then again, Netflix binging is easier than job hunting. Maybe this can be my job?"
Popular dramas "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men" and "Scandal" top the list, while Netflix originals "Orange is the New Black" and "House of Cards" fill out the top five.
Johnson's rhetorical question illuminates what many researchers are calling a modern-day phenomenon. A recent study released from the International Association of Addiction Studies showed that the so-called "millennial" generation has fallen into the detrimental and potentially threatening habit of binging on television shows.
"Sometimes I pretend I'm Olivia Pope and her words
are my words. Her thoughts are my thoughts, ya know?" Johnson mumbles as the opening sequence to yet another episode plays in the background.
Before her Netflix subscription, Johnson hoped to attend an Ivy League law school after graduation and eventually run for political office. Her common pastimes included studying, spending time at the student recreational facility and enjoying her morning cup of coffee. Now, Johnson isn't even sure if she's an enrolled college student.
"Yeah, whatever," she said.
"Can you just like, stop asking questions? I haven't seen this episode yet."
The study also reports that Netflix binging has severe hygiene-related consequences. TV-bingers are at a greater risk for back pain, neck pain and hair loss. Similarly, those most susceptible are at the highest risk of losing communication skills and even basic social cues.
"It's as if they've developed into a new human breed," said sociology professor Daniel Lindhaugen. "Maybe in 20 to 30 years, they'll regain the ability to intermingle with society again. But until then, I hope these disgusting humans stay on their couches forever."
Greene said television viewers have entered a new era.
Netflix lobbyist and vehement binge advocate Monica
"I wouldn't be surprised if people stop getting married and we stop upholding our democratic processes in this country," Greene said. "Who cares if we sink into a black hole of economic crisis and perpetual bad hygiene? As long as I get to watch terrible movies no one cares about and binge on Grey's Anatomy until my eyes bleed, I'm happy."
Greene and her colleagues encourage the widespread use of other online television streaming accounts, such as Hulu Plus and HBO Go. In fact, the more accounts a viewer can maintain, the better
Johnson's mind grows numb to reality as she slips back into another Netflix marathon. She quickly loses the ability to form sentences, and it's clear she isn't moving from her couch any time soon.
"Mmmmm ok yeah," she said. "Over it."
"All I'm saying is, if you want to watch 'True Detective,' 'Game of Thrones' and 'Saturday Night Live' all while illegally streaming 'Sex and the City,' do it," she said. "We've relied too long on physical activity, familial ties and intellectual stimulation to find satisfaction in our life. It's time to break free from these restrictions and really live."
Binging by the numbers Is it really that bad?
30HOURS:
average number of hours spent watching Netflix and other television-streaming outlets in one week
week
economic burden bingers cost United States economy
$500 MILLION:
decline in college graduation rates for bingers
24. 46 POUNDS:
a binger's average weight gain in two months of receiving Netflix subscription
Source: International Center for Binging and Marathonning
MEDIA
Study: Information graphics actually confuse people
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