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UESDAY, DECEMBER 9. 2014
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
TEXT FREE FOR ALL
Text your FFA submissions to (785)289-8351 or at kansan.com
That guy who drives the 29 bus looks like a Samurai warrior with that beard.
My voice decides to desert me when I really need it in the next few days! Nooo!
The bow-legged guy in my western civ discussion class makes me thirsty.
I think bus drivers enjoy pressing the brakes a lot to watch people struggle to keep balance.
Mad props to the person playing "I Want It That Way" on the piano in the Union. Day made.
Shoutout to the Athletics people for not letting me into the Florida game WHEN I HAD A TICKET.
I wonder if Bernadette Gray-
Little ever texts the FFA??
You know it's time to stop the "woo" when Big Jay shushes you
Listening to the Interstellar score makes me feel just epic enough to get these research papers done.
Currently eating a free and expired PB&J at Watson. I've hit a new low. #thanksfinals
I got a blank space baby, and it's my paper that's due tomorrow
I agree, it doesn't seem likely it's Adnan. I really hope they don't leave it hanging unknown in the end.
I hate to break it to anyone who thinks otherwise, but the main intention of the media is, in fact, to garner high ratings. Wake up people!
Arguing that you can regulate a smoking ban on campus is laugable, so smoke 'em if you got 'em!
Be aware that white men have been brutalized by cops (both black and white), and nothing ever becomes of it. For some reason if whites are the victims, it is not considered racist...
"I have the right to never feel uncomfortable" is what's wrong with America.
politicallyincorrect
Ran to catch a bus and it drove away without me when I was right outside it. Happy stop week to you too, bus. >:!
To any Furries on campus, hope everyone from Midwest Fur Fest is ok after the chlorine gassing
I need a drink and it's Tuesday.
goinuponatuesday
Americans should reevaluate priorities
The German government has recently proposed
I recently proposed to ban employers from emailing their employees after 6:00 p.m. This practice has worried German labor officials, who believe that workplace communication outside of normal working hours unduly increases stress. According to National Public Radio, the country mandates four weeks of paid vacation and only allows individuals to
work an average of 35 hours a week. Proponents claim that these practices, along with paid maternity and paternity leave and an earlier retirement age, yield a happier and more productive workforce. Many European countries have similar regulations, maintaining a strong barrier between work life and home life. Americans, who are increasingly prioritizing their careers over other aspects of life, could benefit from similar practices.
The average American employee works 47 hours per week, with almost 20 percent of employees working over 60 hours, according to Gallup. Workers are increasingly unhappy with their jobs and
are more disengaged while working.Many professions, particularly in law,business and medicine, necessitate longer workweeks while demanding engagement when at home or on vacation. Professionals today are striving toward some arbitrary goal, working incredible hours with the intent of increasing wealth and reaching the elusive American dream. This type of worker — the modern ideal employee — too easily neglects family, social connections and personal well-being.
personal well-being Americans are obsessed with constant growth. The nation's success is measured by its continually expanding economy while an individual's success is measured by home
square footage and number of possessions. Since the end of World War II, when the American dream became a tangible option for the burgeoning middle class, growth has been viewed as a panacea for every problem. The idea that working more, owning more and achieving more will bring about happiness has not only proven to be wrong, but harmful to the individual and to society.
According to Forbes America is the 17th happiest country in the world. The countries that rank higher have high levels of social services and workers' rights as well as personal attitudes that prioritize personal life over work. Norway, Denmark.
Sweden and other countries that beat the United States focus legislation on the well-being of their citizens rather than on the growth of GDP Americans may be beating these countries in GDP per capita and the number of hours worked per week, however we need to consider whether our staggering rates of poverty, depression, inequality pollution and unhappiness are worth it. It is time for America's government to start taking care of its citizens and Americans to start taking care of themselves.
Ike Uri is a sophomore from Concordia studying sociology
Approach controversial topics with care
Politics is a touchy subject. Odds are, you learned this firsthand over Thanksgiving Break. You may have heard how the White House has been commandered by a lawless tyrant, hell-bent on destroying American constitutional democracy. Perhaps you were told of the nihilist winners of the last election and the usage of "scorched earth politics" under the Republicans.
Either way, you most likely received an earful from a relative who is deeply
concerned with the course of this nation. Because this was probably not your last Thanksgiving, nor your last conversation regarding politics, you should know about a few tips that can radically improve your ability to discuss politics or any other subject of national interest.
First, you should be informed on a topic before engaging in any sort of debate about it. This means learning about it from a few reputable news sources. Reading an article from the Kansan and listening to a story about it on National Public Radio is a great course of action, but watching only Fox News or MSNBC is not.
all arguments on an issue and see which ones are most persuasive.
Next, you should form a reasoned opinion on the subject. Do to this, weigh
Maybe you feel America needs to seriously look at the way it approaches race in the wake of the Ferguson riots. You point to the trends of much higher rates of incarceration, profiling and police shootings of minorities as evidence that action must be taken. This is a reasonable position. Saying you don't see a problem with the existing system because personally you are not racist, or are scared of speaking about race, is not.
Most importantly, you need to remain calm and remember to be humble in your knowledge. Nothing will turn a debate into a screaming match faster than snide arrogance on the part of one
of the participants. Admitting to yourself that you don't know everything surrounding an issue will make the conversation infinitely more pleasant, and maybe even educational.
In addition, you need to realize that arguments exist for all sides of an issue. Even if you do not agree, you must consider the contentions made by others. If the other person's points are not convincing, you can explain why you feel differently.
difference.
Keeping an open mind will encourage the person with whom you are speaking to do the same. This leads to fewer bruised feelings and maybe even one of you adjusting your views. Sounds better than a hoarse-voiced shouting match, right?
It's important to recognize that you should not discuss controversial topics with certain people. These individuals are so fiery in their beliefs that it would be best to quickly diffuse anything that may set them off. This may not be optimal, but it's a reality that has to be accepted.
Remember these steps next time you end up in a conversation over politics, or any other controversial topic. Following these can keep a dignified exchange of ideas from devolving into a dramatic mess and help all involved to develop a more nuanced view of current affairs.
Jesse Burbank is a sophomore from Quinter studying history and political science
Apple Pay could increase security on campus
Ever since Apple released the iPhone 6 and details on Apple's smart watch, people haven't stopped talking about Apple Pay. Apple Pay seems to be the future for all credit and debit cards. Without the hassle of storing cards in your
wallet or the potential threat of credit card theft, Apple Pay is a simpler way for people, especially students, to make everyday purchases.
Many companies, including Sports Authority, Macy's, Office Depot and even McDonald's, are starting to accept contactless payment methods. A contactless payment method, like Apple Pay, is a way for people to purchase something with a smartphone, key fob or another device without having to physically swipe a card. The
University of Kansas should join in on this trend. By installing contactless payment methods to our on-campus stores, the University can make life a little simpler for students.
According to a Nov. 14 article in The New York Times, Apple Pay has become popular with many large companies' customers. Whole Foods has had 150,000 Apple Pay transactions, and McDonald's has stated that Apple Pay has accounted for 50 percent of its tap-to-pay transactions.
By these numbers alone, it is obvious that contactless payment is the future for payment methods.
Furthermore, Apple Pay would be a great addition to the campus because of its secure payments. College students are often susceptible to credit card fraud or even misplacing their card. By using a contactless payment method, students' credit cards and identity are more secure.
If KU added Apple Pay to campus, we would stand out as a University dedicated to
new technology. It would set our University apart from every other large state school. No other university has fully adopted contactless payment, so it could possibly be the first to incorporate Apple Pay. Although it is just a small addition, it could potentially influence future students' decisions to come to the University.
Madeline Umali is a sophomore from St. Louis studying journalism
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