OPINION
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
EDITORIAL
www.kansan.com
Students must be smart about oil consumption
The rapid escalation of the price of oil during the past months has caused a small panic. The stock market has been on a downward trend, consumers have been enraged by the charges for refueling their vehicles and prominent economists are worried about the possibility of recession. However, there is a silver lining to this economic storm cloud. By forcing consumers, businesses and politicians to take a more serious look at alternative energy sources, the price increase could lead to a more environmentally friendly economy.
economy. Oil is arguably the most important commodity in the world. There are very few goods or services that do not require oil at some point in their production or marketing. When the price of oil increases, so does the price of every single product or service that uses oil as an input to its creation. This creates an inflationary wave that ripples through the entire economy.
May. While this inflation is not expected to be a large problem for the economy, it does force Alan Greenspan to raise interest rates, though a few more months of low interest rates would be helpful in pulling the economy out of its current soft spot.
through the entire economy. The recent oil price increase has followed this pattern. In fact, 61 top economists surveyed by USA Today in August recently increased the expected consumer price index, which is the measurement of inflation. For 2004 it's at 3.1 percent, up .5 percent from their estimate in May.
A rapid oil price increase is also detrimental to economic growth, especially in developing countries that are even more reliant on oil than the United States. When consumers and businesses have to spend more on oil, it means that
they have less to spend on other goods and services that contribute more to economic growth.
more to economic growth. In fact, ever since gasoline prices in the U.S. increased, Wal-Mart's sales have taken a hit due to being squeezed out of consumers' budgets by gasoline, said an Associated Press article this week.
Press article this week. While oil price increases do cause short-term problems, they are probably overdue, especially in the United States, where gasoline prices have been much lower compared to those in other countries for decades. The beauty of the free market economy is that it forces innovation.
This current situation will be no exception, and that innovation is already happening in some ways, as exemplified by the dramatic ramp-up of hybrid car production due in 2006 from U.S. manufacturers. This innovation has several benefits, most noticeably for the environment, consumers' pocketbooks and those who would like to see an end to U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil.
As a consumer, you, too will be forced to adapt to the oil price increase.
There are many options for doing so: You can purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle, you can opt to walk or bicycle more often, you can carpool, you can practice more fuel-efficient driving techniques, or you can simply combine more chores into one trip.
The sooner you adapt, the sooner you'll have that much more money than the people who will still be pouring their income into the tank of their giant sport utility vehicles.
vehicles. This doesn't apply only to consumers. Businesses and politicians ought to remember the old adage: The early bird gets the worm.
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The water puddle just stole my sandal.
图
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You look really beautiful right now
There are three schools that are off limits for people at KU to wear shirts from: K-State, Mizzou and Duke. And yet, I've seen three K-State shirts in my first hour on campus today.
Twenty years of sassiness.
Even though it's quite dark in here.
And I don't have my glasses on and I can't see you.
This guy who thought he was being smart with the comment in the Free for All about the waffles: Maybe he should open the dictionary and see what it says after the little number two in the definition of the word "waffles." I think he's the one who just looked like an idiot.
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General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
Is it bad that I almost just got in an accident because I was putting on deodorant while I was driving?
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General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
Yeah, this is Snake Man to Snake Woman: I love you, too.
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Voting helps ensure democracy
The hype surrounding the elections campaigns this year, and a growing sentiment that the catastrophe of the 2000 election indicates the elections process can, at best, be questionable, and may leave many potential voters disenchanted. This disenchantment has persuaded even the most ideal people to underestimate the impact their vote may have.
While the media and the politicians themselves have sensationalized the political arena, potential voters must not lose sight of the bigger picture — the ideals upon which the United States was supposedly created.
PERSPECTIVE
Our government functions through democracy. While the word has several definitions, the primary idea is a government decided by the people which it governs, whether directly, through local and state elections, or on a larger scale by elected officials who are entrusted with power to make decisions that serve the best interests of those they represent.
represent.
A democracy ensures the rights of the people to choose. This right to choice is best demonstrated through voting. The vote is a powerful tool. It ensures the majority of the people are best served the majority of the time. While the ideals of democracy are often drowned out by the smaller, petty details of campaign politics, they are
SARA ZAFAR
opinion@kansan.com
not yet obsolete.
In order to ensure that these ideals remain effective, a number of actions must take place. People who are eligible to vote should educate themselves on the issues that are most pertinent to them and choose the candidate who will best address these issues.
will best address those people who do not agree with a particular situation or governmental position should voice their opinions without fear of persecution. One of the main points of a democracy is it is not a rigid political structure, but can change to best serve everyone. The constitution has undergone many amendments since its inception, and there are several ways in which these changes have occurred. The most impacting amendments arose through protest and dissent.
A common misconception is that people who protest and complain about
the government are "unpatriotic" and that they do not appreciate what it means to be an American. This is untrue. Those who complain and want change are demonstrating exactly what it is to be an American. They care about this country, and want to be proud of it as well, a difficult task when a great majority of the world views the United States and our leader as a joke. These "dissidents" are exercising a power that is often overlooked.
power that is oftenOnce eligible voters educate themselves, the next step is to actually vote. Another key to the democratic process is that everyone who is free, able and of legal voting age is allowed to vote. This was not always the case, but is possible today through the efforts and protests of thousands of people who utilized the tools of democracy.
tools of democracy. If you are a U.S.citizen,you have the right to vote,a chance to participate in the government that creates and upholds the rules and regulations by which this country operates. While it might not seem like much,voting ensures that at least a part of democracy remains intact. If people refuse their rights,then they refuse their choice, and their voice no longer counts. Uphold democracy and vote this year.
Zafar is a Wichita senior in history.
Studying math equals coolness
As a teacher of Math 101, I've been asked my fair share of questions. Nothing compares, however, to the glowing feeling I get when students scrunch their faces in distaste, shoot up their hands, and ask the achingly familiar question: "But when are we ever going to use this?"
PERSPECTIVE
It's a common misperception that non-math majors cannot benefit from the study of math. To remedy this and answer my students' questions forevermore, here's a list gleaned from years of math class experience.
KATE JENSEN opinion@kansan.com
Ladies and gentlemen, with no further ado I'd like to present the Top 10 Practical Applications of Math to Your Life.
10. Party conversation — Can't think of what to say during awkward party time silences? Imagine interspersing your keg stands with some philosophical conversations about imaginary numbers or enthralling the crowd with a cheerful tale of Lebesgue integration. Nothing says "life of the party" like a good grasp of the modern conventions of mathematics.
9. Sexual appeal — Let's face it, nearly everyone out there is looking for a way to make themselves more attractive. Traditionally, people have relied on nonsensical methods such as "personal hygiene" and "grooming" to improve their attractiveness quotient, but the real key to irresistibility is rolling off obscure mathematical facts with ease. It's like a foreign language: No one
8. Pick up lines — While #9 may render pick up lines unnecessary, it never hurts to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve. Where else but in math class could you learn gems such as "Baby, you derive me crazy" or "Girl, I don't differentiate, let's hook up and integrate"?
understands, but all the chicks (and guys, for that matter) seem to dig it.
7. Fashion — For those truly seeking to find their own sense of style, few departments can compete with mathematics. Take a short walk around Snow Hall if you are unsure of what I mean.
5. "Splitting" the check — Also known as the Emergency Cash Backup Plan. You know what to do when the time comes to split a restaurant check and your friends pass it over to you because "you're good at math..." Well, it's not your fault they didn't pay attention in algebra.
FRIDAY
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6. Artistic Expression — Can anyone say cool graphing calculator pictures? I don't think they teach you that in those "art" majors.
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4. Irrefutable correctness — This application of math is particularly useful in dealing with a frustrating boss or annoying coworker. When said boss or coworker begins to pester you with arguments, simply state you cannot be wrong because of such and such a math reason. Even if what you're talking about has nothing to do with the mathematical reason you gave, you must be right — you know math!
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3. Meth Jokes — Few things are as satisfying as expanding your joke repertoire with zingers such as "Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine!"
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2. Don Juan savvy — Five dates in five days with just $50? Good thing you learned how to calculate the statistical probability of success with each date, enabling you to budget the perfect amount of time and money on each one. Not to mention the fact you'll impress your date by calculating an exact 15 percent tip. Now that's sexy.
1. The "Nerd Factor" — The intangible sense of "cool" those who study and understand math seem to possess. A slight hint of nasality to the laugh, small graphite smudges on the sides of the hand and a sense of humor no one else can quite understand. Doors seem to open for people who have, as I like to call it, the NF.
Jensen is a Minneapolis, Minn., senior in mathematics, Spanish and international studies.