Rants

The takeover of reality TV

In recent years, the spread of reality shows has been exponential and now dominates TV networks’ air time. These “reality” TV shows often portray unrealistic situations with a ludicrous plot, if it exists. The fact of the matter is, these shows represent everything except reality and lead people to believe that an overdramatized existence is the norm. Children growing up watching these shows try to act more like the people in these shows. This behavior results in a largely unintelligent and overdramatic generation of citizens, as well as headaches for those who have to put up with them.

Cringe-worthy radio music

Radio stations never fail to disappoint with their choice of music. Simplistic chord progressions, generic choruses and bland drum beats all plague the music of the radio. The spirit of the radio has died, and radio stations have killed it. Music choice among the majority of stations has become so homogenized that it makes me cringe. When older generations say there is no good music anymore, they are clearly looking in the wrong places. Great music is out there, it is just not on the radio.

The rise of the “hipster”

Ah yes, the paradox of the hipster. What are they to do when being different has become mainstream? The hipster culture has become very prevalent among high school teens, which defeats the purpose of hipsterdom. Many teens nowadays try so hard to be different just for the sake of being different, that they are changing who they are. If you think that buying some Chucks and listening to obscure music makes you a hipster, I probably hate you. Also if you self-identify as a hipster, you most definitely do not possess some of the main traits that characterize a hipster.

Lack of clocks in WHS

If you are at WHS right now, and I asked you what time it is, you would not be able to tell me because there are no clocks in the classrooms. The digital clocks on the televisions are long gone, and there has been no replacement. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about the school day is looking up at the television only to see a dark screen and having no idea what time of day it is. Hopefully, this problem is fixed soon.

Inability to compromise in Congress

In a time when the political climate is as polarized as it is today, it is easy to get frustrated with Congress’s inability to compromise on anything, and at the same time be amazed by their ability to act like school children on the playground. A recent example of this childlike behavior is obviously the government shutdown. Members of Congress were so stubborn and unable to agree on the budget that they let the government literally shut down. Then, when they finally reached a deal and ended the shutdown, they thought they deserved a medal for ending this crisis, but failed to remember it was their fault in the first place. So congratulations for failing to complete the simplest task your job requires: keeping the government open.

Raves

Spotted: The Loch Ness Monster

According to sunnyskyz.com, social media has been lighting up with a satellite picture of what is believed to be the Loch Ness Monster. One of the spotters, Andrew Dixon, said, “It was a total fluke that I found it. I was looking at satellite images of my town and then just thought I’d have a look at Loch Ness. The first thing that came into my head when I saw it was, ‘That’s the Loch Ness Monster.’ It was the shape of it; I thought it had to be something more than a shadow.” Judging from Apple’s satellite map app, the creature appears to be around 100 feet long with two giant flippers that allow it to propel through the water of Loch Ness. Viewers of the satellite imagery are wondering if it really is the Loch Ness Monster as it is so large that it can be viewed from space.

Junior class building pantries

The Wooster High School Student Council is teaming with the organization Mission Possible to run a fundraiser for a food pantry to be built in Zambia. According to junior class president Taylor Bennington, the location in Zambia is two hours from the nearest town and only has one truck as a form of transportation. Should this vehicle happen to break down, there would be no means of transporting food to the residents. The food pantry being built will be able to avoid this problem, as it will hold a one month supply of food at a time. Bricks to contribute to the building of the pantry are being sold during lunches for $1.

Local runners take on Boston

According to an article by Abby Armbruster in The Daily Record, local Wooster runners took part in this year’s Boston Marathon to show support for those who were victims of the Boston bombing last year. Mike Sullivan, resident of Wooster, previous Boston Marathon spectator and participant in this year’s race said, “I see the 118th Boston Marathon as a fresh beginning for this event. What happened one year ago is terrible. I feel for the victims, and we should remember what happened – to learn from it – to become better, more caring as individuals, more protective of one another and smarter as a society.” Tens of thousands of people ran the Boston Marathon this year.

Scientists discover Earth-like world

According to sunnyskyz.com, scientists discovered a new Earth-like world that is the first validated habitable planet. The planet, known as Kepler 186f, is 10 percent wider than Earth. “Kepler 186f is the first validated, Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star. It has the right size and is at the right distance to have properties similar to our home planet.” Elisa V. Quintana of the SETI Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif., said at a news conference April 17. Kepler 186f is neither too hot, nor too cold, allowing liquid water to flow on its surface and the ability to sustain some Earth plant species.