Opinion

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Online relationships undeserving of taboo

As far as the Internet goes, I’d say I’m a more-than-average user. On my iPhone, you can catch me checking all of my social media, uploading pictures, downloading music and iMessaging. On my computer, you can catch me doing all of these things simultaneously, while also doing them on my phone. Social media has launched, landed and taken over our society, and I have to say that I’m a big fan. While I understand being “plugged in” all the time is obnoxious and scary for some, I also know thousands of great connections have been made online. From experience, I can say online friendships are worth a try. If I told my mother 10 years ago that I had met my best friend on a blogging website, she would have warned me that “she” was actually a 64-year-old “he” who wanted to tempt me with free candy and take me away. She also probably would have asked me why I was blogging at eight years old, but that’s another topic for another day. Thankfully, meeting people online has not only become more convenient, but it’s also a lot less taboo than it was a decade ago. Before we could be connected in a thousand different ways to a person, we had no idea who was really on the other end of the Wi-Fi (or the hardwire, depending how far back you really want to take this one). Now I consider it a daily event to talk to people I’ve met on the Internet, some of whom I’ve never actually met in person. I know for some people this whole concept is still really shocking, but as the saying goes, everything gets better after the first time. At some point, you get used to the concept and just accept that sometimes the people who understand you best aren’t always your next-door neighbors. There’s always a site that solidifies this fact for people and if you haven’t found it yet, chances are you’re a sociable person who enjoys spending time with others instead of in bed at 3 a.m. on a Friday night. For me, and I’m sure for at least a handful of others, it was Tumblr. To anyone who lives under a rock, Tumblr is a blogging website that takes over your life (Note: the sarcasm isn’t as heavy as it may seem). Much like in our everyday lives, there are two kinds of users—passive and active. Passive bloggers tend to use Tumblr as another way to procrastinate; they reblog pictures of pretty sunsets or maybe a nice poem and a cup of tea every other week when they’re avoiding that economics homework deadline. This is a serious over exaggeration, but my focus isn’t on these people. Then there are people like me, the active bloggers. Tumblr is a community where I have met my closest group of friends, some of whom live where I do, and some of whom live across the world. The first time I made a friend on the Internet, I was terrified. I didn’t want to tell anybody because I didn’t want them to assume I was talking to the previously mentioned 64-year-old man with the Snickers. I didn’t have the courage to tell them I knew it wasn’t this unnamed predator because I had spent seven hours on Skype, video chatting with a complete stranger. That friendship turned out to be one of the greatest I’ve ever had and I still speak to that friend very often. From there, I took charge and made bonds. I messaged people who seemed interesting and had the same ideas I did. I’ve met people across the country and the world because of Tumblr, and I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of them in person too. I speak to my Internet friends on a daily basis, probably more than I speak to my mom. The concept of meeting on the Internet is so different from meeting in person. On the Internet, you can be anybody you want. Hiding behind a screen, even with Skype, is a strange experience, but one that can be so worthwhile. People meet online every single day, and it’s so easy to become one of them. I think it’s so much easier to talk to people over the Internet because you can express yourself however you want. And no, that’s not me giving permission to anybody to be somebody they aren’t (this isn’t Catfish, kids). Everybody should make an online friend at some point, if only to tell somebody yes, you have a friend in Australia and yes, she likes cats. It can be scary, but you never know who you could befriend that could change your life in a positive way. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll meet a person who turns your world right-side up. Maybe you’ll marry them. How can you know if you never try? Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

Antitheism detrimental across the board

I once heard a quote that the most sensible stance toward organized religion is to remain agnostic.  No one on Earth today stood at Mount Sinai while the Torah was given or saw Jesus turn water into wine.  Simultaneously, it is impossible to prove a negative, namely that God does not exist.  No matter how much tragedy and hardship exists in the world, no matter how much senseless hatred and violence remain extant in our world, not a single human being will ever be able to prove God does not exist.  It is foolish to try.

A new pope with new ideas

With the new pope has come a hope for many that the Catholic Church may revise some of its controversial doctrines. A new concern is to what extent liberation theology has affected the new pontiff during his rise to the papacy. An understanding of liberation theology requires context, so this column aims to shed some light on that subject  and on whether or not people should be concerned about this issue with regard to the papacy. I must note liberation theology is often used to refer to social activism within Catholicism. However, I will focus solely on a more distinct usage that arose in Latin America.

Letter: grading system failing

Problems with the grading done by TAs go well beyond the “inconsistencies” discussed in Eli Bovarnick’s Opinion March 21 column, “TA grading system inherently flawed.” Even more important is how accurately the grades TAs give measure what their students learned.

Rebecca Blank strong choice for chancellor

This board would like to first and foremost congratulate Dr. Rebecca Blank on her recommendation a the next chancellor at this university.

UW-Madison in need of more diversity

Binge drinking costly for taxpayers

I am an intern at Health First Wisconsin, and if you read the news last week, you probably heard about the comprehensive report issued by Health First Wisconsin and partners—including the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and Wisconsin Partnership Program at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. The report is the first comprehensive study that outlines the cost of excessive alcohol use in Wisconsin. Put simply: Wisconsin is the guy who is passed out by 9 p.m. with two forties taped to his hands. Ya, that guy. Feel free to roll your eyes with me. Wisconsin is a drunk mess.

Homeless population needs more advocates

After a semester and a half of writing on local issues, I’ve noticed some recurring themes. One is protesters and the other, occurring almost as often, is protesters getting arrested. Friday of last week, six protesters were cuffed at City Hall for refusing to leave after hours. They were there with many other community members to voice their objections to a policy that limits the homeless to sixty days total per year in a shelter. I agree with these protesters that sixty days is far too few.

Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs threatening

Because of the advanced nature of its nuclear weapons infrastructure, The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the western world’s public enemy number one at the moment.  North Korea recently launched its third successful nuclear explosion.  North Korea, a country that doesn’t shy away from unvarnished rhetoric, has repeatedly said the aim of its nuclear program is to have the capability to hit the continental United States.  It has also threatened the Republic of Korea with what it calls “final destruction.”  

More action needed against OWIs

Wisconsin’s German heritage may explain where this perverse drinking culture began, but it cannot be the reason for such lax alcohol laws. There is nothing wrong with putting back a few cold ones after a long day, but did you know Wisconsin leads the nation in binge drinking—which is defined as having five drinks in a sitting for a man and four for a woman? People in Wisconsin are more likely to drive drunk than anywhere else in the United States, and this state has the highest incidence of drunken driving deaths in the United States. Not only that, but minors can legally drink at bars if accompanied by their legal guardian.

Religious belief and personal knowledge inseparable in science literature

In a class discussion a few weeks ago, the professor posed a question to those in attendance: How do you define science literacy? While this may seem to be a simple question to answer, that was not the case for the roughly 100 people there.

Maintenance of doctrine necessary in Catholic schools

Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster holds truth

Every once in a while, an incident comes along that perfectly clarifies the state of our political discourse. Last week, Sen. Rand Paul’s, R-Kentucky, 13-hour filibuster did exactly that. Anyone even remotely concerned with civil liberties, checks and balances and due process of law should have cheered Paul’s filibuster for seeking explicit limits on the use of drones against American citizens on American soil. Indeed, Paul’s discussion, while welcome, did not go remotely far enough in scope.

Vote yes for new ASM constitution

If you have not voted in the Associated Students of Madison elections, take this as your last second reminder. Read some of the statements and take part, because the people you elect are in control of your dollars and deserve your scrutiny. Pick wisely and take more than 30 seconds to make your decision.

Obesity epidemic in United States stems from our choices

TA grading system inherently flawed

High rise apartments taking over Madison's neighborhoods

Do what you love, aspiring law folk

More accountability needed after police use deadly force

Nov. 9, Madison man Paul Heenan was shot dead by Officer Stephen Heimsness of the Madison Police Department. Heenan, following a night of drinking, mistakenly entered the wrong house and Heimsness arrived on the scene in response to a 911 call by the homeowners. The fatal shooting occurred after Heenan allegedly struggled with Heimsness and reached for his gun. The incident has caused much controversy and once again brought the issue of lethal police force into politicaldiscussion. It recently came to light that Heimsness had faced 15 complaints prior to the recent incident, including eight allegations of excessive force, one which he was found guilty. Ibelieve Heimsness’ report and I trust that he would not have used deadly force unless he feared for his safety. However, I also believe that Heenan did not have to die that night. Police departments should work harder to prevent instances of unnecessary deadly force.

Examining the ethnic studies requirement

The Associated Students of Madison Diversity Committee came away from its Ethnic Studies Roundtable with four main ideas for revamping the Ethnic Studies requirement: increase therequirement to two classes instead of one; require one of the classes be taken in the first two years on campus; have smaller discussion sections; and include service learning as part of the classes.