WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 4
TEXT FREE FOR ALL
Dear ladies in my yoga class, I have no clue what I'm doing...soI'm looking at your form, not checking you out. How do you do it?
Text your FFA submissions to 785-289-8351 or at kansan.com
1 reason I hate leaving my apartment for class... I have to wear clothes.
Trying to find shade at the bus stop is now like trying to find space in the Snow Hall entrance during a downpour.
Anyone else think it's weird that @squirellsofu hasnt graduated yet?
I feel as though I'm starting to see forbidden knowledge. Both the Google store and Amazon are unaware of one of my textbooks. And it came out 7 years ago.
Freshmen, stop boarding at the back of the bus or we can start giving you the "300" treatment. "This is KU!" "kicks freshman off bus"
I said that you dropped your keys there and I couldn't wait for you because I have class. The spahr help
UPDATE: Please disregard the previous text and probably put it in the FFA anyways.
Sunglasses are necessary on campus so I can eye everyone I pass.
I love Topeka!!!
The only thing that has changed about my major in two years is I went from undecided to radically undecided.
First day of vector calc we were subtracting vectors graphically. Long story short, I may have tricked the professor into saying "touching tips is okay."
Decided to go in a different direction. I'm now majoring in sleeping in & staying poor.
Couldn't find my class in Malott, so I went home and dropped it.
Tip to Freshmen. You want to take the 43 to Daisy Hill. Just look for the 43, loves.
It needs to be next week so all the people that said they would workout everyday will be gone.
ENVIRONMENT
Dang, my high school crush is in one of my classes and she's gotten even more attractive.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The one that got away.
The tears for Ben have quickly faded and have been replaced with extreme thirst toward Wiggins.
I think I might be white
Recycling has mixed effects on economy and environment
Recycling is bad for the environment? This statement sounds like a paradox, however some economic and environmental downfalls accompany this sustainable practice. I assumed arguments against recycling were just urban myths or excuses to absolve guilt for not participating in this relatively easy-to-implement practice. I was wrong.
There are so many articles on the Internet about how recycling is pointless and is damaging rather than beneficial. Even as an advocate for recycling, I have to admit they make some valid points, although I maintain my belief that recycling is an overall benefit to society.
Alan Caruba, author of "The Utter Waste of Recycling" states, "New York City suspended the
collection of plastic and beverage cartons for a year and the collection of glass for two years. Said the Mayor, "This temporary suspension will save the City an estimated $40 million."
Roy E. Cordato, author of "Don't Recycle: Throw It Away!" argues that "curbside recycling programs require more trash pickups per week. This means more trucks on the road generating more air pollution. Due to mandatory recycling, New York City had to add two additional pickups per week and Los Angeles has had to double its fleet of trash trucks."
Seldom do people hope to cost our government more money and increase air pollution, yet these authors ignore the longterm detriments that come with abandoning the practice of recycling as well as crucial facts that
By Jenny Stern jstern@kansan.com
explain why recycling is so highly regarded.
First of all, recycling saves energy by allowing the synthesis of materials to start at a midpoint rather than starting from scratch. The city of Denver has an article on their website called "Recycling Myths: Learn the Truth". Here they state that "a recent study found that the total energy used to collect, haul and process a ton of recyclables is less than 1 million Btu and that it takes approximately 10.4 million Btu to manufacture products from a ton of recyclables. In comparison, it takes 23.3 million Btu to manufacture those same products from virgin materials. That's a savings of 11.9
million Btu per ton of material recycled." A Btu, as explained by Wikipedia, is a traditional unit of energy equal to about 1055 joules, or the amount of energy needed to cool or heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
As for the increased cost of recycling, cities usually save money by recycling. Returning to the example of Denver in their "Recycling Myths: Learn the Truth", "the City receives $33 per ton [of recycling]; however, every time we take a ton of trash to the landfill it costs us about $13 per ton. This means the City is able to save money every time someone takes recyclable material out of their trash cans and puts it in a recycling cart."
Recycling also saves trees. Cordata argues that if recycling continues, by rule of supply and demand, fewer trees will be planted. A study done by Worldwatch Institute refutes this argument as their study estimated that if all the newspapers in the U.S. were recycled for one day, 41,000 less trees would need to be cut down. So maybe recycling isn't as earth-saving and cost effective as I originally thought it to be, but I think the most important point is that although we slightly increase our carbon footprint as we recycle, we are offsetting extremely detrimental practices that will eventually be the end of our earth and truly are making a difference.
Jenny Stern is a sophomore majoring in B:ology from Lawrence.
LIFESTYLE
Modern women have options other than domestic duties
As my junior year commences, Susan Patton and my hometown will be disappointed to learn I will not have a 'ring by spring' of my senior year. I also have yet to find someone who will both fertilize my eggs and help me rear my future, questionably-existent children. When I graduate in May '15, I will not be picking out wedding catering or baby carriages, but rather career opportunities preferably outside the fast food industry. Plans for my degree, my mini-fridge and my womb are all up in the air. That's right; I don't even know if I want to keep my mini-fridge, let alone copulate with someone.
Luckily, it's becoming socially acceptable for Millennials and Gen X to forgo procreation. However, when I return to my roots in Southeast Kansas, I'm reminded that my biological clock is ticking away. My eggs will dry up and more pregnancy complications arise with age. Some fellow high school graduates have already had their first and second babies, all before they can legally drink. To each their own, I say! But as they lactate and deal with baby-daddy issues, I'm content letting my eggs fry as my laptop roasts my ovaries and chances of having normal children.
In talking to others my age, I sensed a general theme of relief. Cohorts showed solace that the pressure to spawn had been taken off for a longer period of time. Most do want children, only in the distant future. But while
By Anrenee Reasor areasor@kansan.com
some people said they couldn't imagine having children, they also could not fathom being 65+ and not having a family or grand-kids to dote on. One friend said he wants children simply because "they could do stuff for me, like run errands to the grocery store." Another person desired children for their perceived adorable qualities. She plans on sewing clothing, knitting baby hats, and shopping for cute outfits! Horrible reasons by both in my opinion. Why do we want to have children? From a scientific standpoint, we are biologically designed to desire reproduction, so our existence continues and flourishes. Any species too adverse to siring offspring will inevitably die out. Socially, children fulfill their part in the Great American Dream, but with many strings attached. Sure, they're cute, but they also require constant care for the first decade of life. Not to mention having a child expedites a woman's body in aging. Everything goes south, but birthing makes it happen sooner*
A recent Time Magazine study stated the opportunity cost in foregone corporate ladder climbing for a woman to have a child averages around $1,000,000. Raising a child from birth to 18 years ends up just shy of $250,000, not including college costs. And you can't raise just one child; it's practically a minimum of two nowadays. How many "only children" do you know? If you really want your children to take care of you in your old age, you can't put all your eggs in one basket! Distribute the burden between at least two kids!
I asked my own parents if they would have children again knowing what they know now. My mom asserted that it was "a real, eye-opening experience." This is also a phrase I use to describe unpleasant, tortuous scenarios. She said she enjoyed our younger years and travelling with us, but the costs never end. From there she launched into a tirade about car, health, and dental insurance, college tuition and other general expenses. I like to believe she enjoyed raising my sister and me, and many photo albums and home videos support this. My dad loves humoring me. He said he loved having kids and couldn't imagine not doing it again, but he's also a better liar than my mom.
I also inquired how they felt about being denied grandchildren. They didn't seem to mind because they both plan on being cremated by the time my sister or I would ever multiply. This is either a testament to their own health or a lack of faith in their children's romantic lives. Fair enough! Not being pressured to produce grandkids in the near future provides comfort, for now.
Arenee Reasor is a junior studying Economics and EALC from Thayer. Follow her on Twitter @anreeer.
CAMPUS CHIRPS BACK
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HEALTHY FUN
Five easy steps to enjoying life more
I'm the beginning of another exciting semester at KU and it seems I'm not the only one feeling positive vibes in the air, which really brings a smile to my face. Whether you're having a rough time or a great one, I will share with you some of that boundless and infinite wisdom I have to help you have more fun.
STEP 1: GET SOME FRIENDS AND CHECK OUT THE TOY SECTION AT WAL-MART
STEP 2: GET A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TO
TIMES AND SEEK WITH YOU
We all love having fun. It's easy and we all know how to do it - all you have to do is remember a few things from when you were young. When we were children the only thing we really tried to do was have fun and we did it by playing. So here are four things you can do to have some delightful, childish fun.
When you are a little kid, going to the toy section at the store is basically what it's all about. Toys were the most amazing thing about being a kid. Yet when we get older, we start spending all our money on clothes and booze. Take ten bucks to Wal-Mart and check out the toy section; I guarantee you will leave with something! How do I guarantee this? Because if you go to the toy section and don't purchase the 50 cent water gun, you're just plain looy. Not to mention the super-soakers, Styrofoam swords or even the classic Red Bouncy Ball. You know the one I'm talking about. We stop buying these things when we get older, but speaking from experience, they are no less enjoyable.
PLAY RIDGE-AND-SEEK WITH YOU.
What is one of the most enjoyable games that a group of people can play with each other? Hide-and-seek: a classic staple in every one's childhood that's equally as fun when you're older. Seriously, if you live in the dorms this is easy. Get five people and start playing and you can be certain that more will soon join. Play it inside or outside, during the day or during the night. You can tweak the rules however you want and it's free.
If you aren't in the mood for hide-and-seek you can play
Trevoe Graff, editor-in-chief
editor@kansan.com
Allison Kohn, managing editor
akohn@kansan.com
Dylan Lysen, managing editor
dylan@kansan.com
Believe it or not, before your libido kicked in and you started focusing on how to act refined in front of people, you used to have more fun because you didn't care as much. Being carefree is a lost form of art that requires 100% commitment to being nice whenever you can, making jokes with strangers, and just being goofy. Some of us aren't there yet because we want to impress each other and, maybe, harness a false sense of maturity. But the reality is, maturity is naivety. You know that crazy grandpa or uncle who acts like a complete goof? I can assure you, he has his deep thoughts and heavy burdens to bear.
STEP 4: SMILE, LAUGH, AND STOP TAKING EVERYTHING SD DAMN SERIOUSLY
Watching Wile E. Coyote try and fail to catch Roadrunner with every insane invention that ACME could fathom is hilarious. Seriously, if I ever find a bat-suit, I am buying it.
By Nathan Bartocci nbartocci@kansan.com
Just remember that ultimately, life is one great enjoyable adventure and we are at the perfect age to have the best of both worlds.
Nathan Bartocci is a junior majoring in Strategic Communications with a film minor from Johnson County.
STEP 3: WATCH SOME LOONEY TUNES Yeah, I admit this one is a little subjective, but if you'd rather, you can watch some Invader Zim, DuckTakes or Johnny Bravo. I watched a lot of that stuff as a kid and it made me happy. Today when watching those old cartoons you pick up on all the adult-humor (such as the full-scene parody of The Big Lebowski in Power Puff Girls) while feeling nostalgic about your younger days and the things that used to make you laugh.
variations such as flashlight tag or capture the flag stealth mode. I don't really know how else to sell this, just play it. You know you love hide and seek.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Trevor Graff, Allison Kohn, Dylan Lyon, Will Webber, Pointer Pointer and Sean Powers.