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KANSAN.COM | MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2015
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Am I really caught up on homework? This can't be right. I must be missing something that I'll find out about too late that was worth half my grade...
To those who are confused about the weather. This is Kansas. This is how it is. It's going to be a long ride. #townie
I touched Bill Self's hand before the game last night and I was so exited about it that I cried.
Kansas: where all the seasons can be experienced within one whole week. #kansasweather
I wish knew how much time I've spent sleeping in Budig. Equivalent of a week night? Maybe a whole week? Tell me, video cameras. Tell me.
Things that are currently preventing me from collapsing into a sobbing exhausted mess: 1. Coffee
Q: "What do you give to a pumpkin who is trying to quit smoking?"
A: "A pumpkin patch!"
Ah yes it's winter that means all the bad spray tans come out to play
Do you ever just tell the Chipotle cashier that you love them? oh yeah me neither.
I drank a pumpkin spice latte out of a red Starbucks cup I feel like I'm cheating on my seasons.
Last time I went to Dillons the little coupon machine only gave me coupons about pizza rolls so I think the universe is sending me a wakeup call
To the drunk guys who broke our window on Friday night; I hope your heater breaks so you're as cold as we are this week
"I'm no gym rat. I'm pizza rat."
Please don't be the jerk at chipotle who orders a quesarito when there's a long line
READ MORE AT KANSAN.COM
It's critical to recognize the limits of what we know一and what we don't
JESSE BURBANK
@jburbank1
It's easy to under-appreciate the cliché: "You don't know what you don't know." But, in a presidential election season where most candidates claim to have a plan to solve all of our country's problems and make America great (again), this idea becomes more important.
Despite candidates' naturally limited knowledge of issues, they tend to double down on subjective, ideological policies. They propose ideas and plans about the construction of walls and the adjustment of tax rates without ever stopping to acknowledge that what they can know is profoundly limited by resources, politics and even humanity's capacity to know.
In his book, "The Social Animal," New York Times columnist David Brooks describes this concept: "Epistemology is the study of how we know what we know. Epistemological modesty is the knowledge of how little we know and can know."
Political candidates, however, ignore this and usually buy into the structure of absolute truth; a worldview that allows for no doubt and only certainty. They tend to believe that they have the answer and
everyone else needs to listen and comply.
Refusing to recognize the limits of one's own knowledge is dangerous. It closes one's mind to alternatives, polarizes others, and discourages critical thinking. Rather than working toward a solution, it supports the problem. The scandals and problems of presidential campaigns throughout history is evidence of this.
As college students, it's important not to fall into the trap of absolute truth. No matter how certain we are of something, we have to remember to keep an open mind. We cannot ignore ideas
because they make us uncomfortable or challenge our core beliefs.
benefits. In refusing to close our minds to different and new ideas, we allow our worldview to evolve. Socrates even advocated for opening oneself to questions and change -to understanding issues from all sides and empathizing with those with different views. By questioning one's own beliefs and recognizing the limits of one's own knowledge leads to what Philosopher Martha Nussbaum refers to in her book, "Not for Profit," as "a certain type of citizen: active, critical, curious, capable of resisting authority and peer
pressure."
Be careful not to buy into the dogma of absolute truth in politics or in life in general. Question ideas, don't cling to them. Be open to transformation of the mind and spirit. Above all, recognize that knowledge is limited and that the world is infinitely complex.
Jesse Burbank is a junior from Quinter studying history, political science, and economics.
- Edited by Minami Levonowich
The south goalpost of Memorial Stadium lies in Potter Lake on the morning of Nov. 2.
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
Even though they might be fun in the moment, victory celebrations shouldn't destroy property
VANESSA ASMUSSEN
@VanessaAsmussen
However, celebration that turns into rioting and destroying public property is the wrong way for individuals to show excitement, and it needs
A victory of any kind is a cause for celebration. Whether it's an anticipated Jayhawk basketball win, a comeback for the football team or a Kansas City Royals World Series crown, college students and the public should celebrate and show their support.
to stop.
Destruction of public property is not only illegal, but it shows that group of people in a negative light. When it makes the news that another goalpost has, yet again, been thrown into Potter Lake, it gives people an excuse to look down on and criticize University students as a whole, even if it was just a small portion of the students who committed these crimes.
These kinds of crimes are also more costly than many students may realize. After
the Kansas City Royals won the World Series, street signs were torn down, and more than $10,000 worth of damage was done to Memorial Stadium. Breaking into the stadium and tearing down goalposts costs the University money that could have gone toward something more productive.
This kind of behavior on campuses has become too widely accepted, and seems to not be addressed properly any time it happens. But as college students, we will all
eventually leave this campus, and this kind of behavior will no longer be something people will just refer to as "typical college behavior."
As students of the University of Kansas, we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. We should be the school that sets the example of an acceptable and respectful way to celebrate victories. We should represent our student body and our school in a professional manner, and conduct ourselves as the adults we came to college to become.
Vandalism after a victory costs not only money, but also taints the image of our student body and loses the respect of others. Being excited, showing support and celebrating in a civilized and safe manner is encouraged and accepted, and it is the way we should conduct ourselves every time we enjoy a victory.
Vanessa Asmussen is a junior from Neodesha studying journalism and sociology.
— Edited by Madeline Umali
Have you ever heard of a way to avoid getting pregnant after sex? It's probably just a myth.
ABBY PETRULIS
@apetrulis
We've all heard the tales — foolproof ways to avoid getting pregnant, as long as you use these certain tricks. Unfortunately, none of those magic tricks are going to stop the miracle of life. Let's take a further look at two of these myths.
Myth 1: If you have intercourse in a swimming pool, hot tub or body of water, you can't get pregnant.
We've all heard the tales
The point here, and something that you'll have heard a lot by the end of this article, is that pregnancy can occur any time sperm and an egg come in contact. That's why contraception is so important.
A male's sperm count might be a little lower if he spends long periods of time in a hot tub, but creating a baby can still occur.
However, you may have heard the story of a woman who sued a hotel because her daughter got pregnant after swimming in the pool. This is
absolutely impossible according to Planned Parenthood. Sperm may be commonly referred to as "swimmers," but that doesn't mean they can swim a distance that can get a woman pregnant from afar. Pregnancy can only occur if there is direct genital contact.
Myth 2: If you pee or douche after having sex, you won't get pregnant.
reproductive system, but it won't prevent pregnancy. Some myths state that putting vinegar, soda or even rinsing with water are ways you can prevent pregnancy, but this is untrue. The extra sugar in soda might cause a yeast infection.
Not only is douching considered to be a poor decision in general, as it can get rid of the good bacteria in a woman's
Again, if there is direct contact between genitals, there's no trick that will stop someone from getting pregnant. Douching won't clear everything out and stop conception. It may even do more harm than good.
What are some sex myths you want debunked? Direct message @apetrulis on Twitter.
contraception. There are absolutely no tricks that can stop you from getting pregnant — and most people don't plan to have a baby in college. Your contraceptive plan shouldn't be believing an urban legend, because most of them are untrue.
It's important to always use
Abby is a senior and second-year pharmacy student.
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