ideas, trends, and open dialogue
Keeping Conscious
Dead and Not So Gone
Sep 8th
Late nights under the sky during this past summer left a lot of time to reflect on metaphysical problems that don’t have any real impact on us or society. However, sometimes they can help us internally and give us a little inner peace. The latest thought experiment I have deals with a kind of life after death, which may be useful to those who want more after they go six feet under but don’t find the needed assurance in religion, so here we go.
We need to assume that the universe is eternal. This means that matter will always exist within space. Right now, in this instant, if you take a snap shot of the universe, all matter would be organized in some combination, that you can call combination A. This includes how the Earth and Weather is behaving to how your neurons are organized and your personality, memories, etc. As time passes, matter is shifting into different combinations. Eventually, people will die who experienced combination A and given even more time the Earth will have dissipated.
However, with a lot more time, it is possible that matter will shift back into combination A. This would mean that at some time after your death, you would exist again as you have. Now, the probability of this combination occurring would be one out of an incomprehensibly high number, but it is still a probability that can occur, and it has all of eternity to happen.
This could also mean that this is not the first time you have been in this situation, reading this blog and doing whatever you’re doing this day. So when you are dead and gone, you may just come back like you were again and again and again and again…
LikeSummer Roundup
Sep 7th
Hey Culture Shock Readers! Do you guys feel left out because you forgot to check Culture Shock during the summer? Are you a new freshmen or transfer student and are just finding us? Well if so, here are five posts from the summer that are a good starting point for you to check out!
Poland- The Nation of Strength- Allison teaches us about her Polish cooking and gives us some history from the country!
Born Into Fortune- George talks about how lucky we are to be in the developed world.
Thoughts on the “Ground Zero Mosque”- An anonymous writer gives us some things to think about concerning the Islamic Center being built in New York.
The Reluctant Graduate- Monica helps talk about the bittersweet feeling from graduating a year early.
Embrace Your Inner Dork- Eric nerds out with everyone’s favorite football head, Hey Arnold!
An Interview with BU Alum Mark Rosewater, Head Designer of Magic The Gathering
Sep 7th
Boston University has a great legacy and community of success. With alumni in almost every corner of the world and in almost every profession, you never know who you may have that community with. As a kid, I grew up playing this card game called Magic, The Gathering (yes I’m a nerd). Part of what’s great with that community is the contact we, as players of the game, have with the creators of the game. The guys over at Magic are constantly writing articles and doing interviews as part of the outreach to the community. Recently, I did an interview with Magic Head Designer Mark Rosewater, an alumni from Boston University. Beyond being star struck in actually talking to the person with possibly the coolest job imaginable, I wanted to share with you, the Culture Shock community, the conversation Mark and I had.
Neal: So Mark, lets start with a trip down memory lane. Tell us a little bit about you’re experience at Boston University
Mark: I was there from 1985-1989. I lived on campus, in Warren Towers and later Myles in Kenmore Square, and attended the College of Communications. I was involved in campus, as part of the Stage Troupe, an improve Troupe, a writers workshop, and I wrote some plays.
N: So when you left BU, what was your first job.
M: I went strate to Los Angeles. In Com, I majored in broadcast and film with an emphasis in screen writing and the intention of becoming a writer. My first job was working as a writer at Jerry Shambling show, on Showtime I think. It’s kind of funny how I got the job though, I didn’t know anybody, so I was sneaking onto lots to try to get a bearing about places and learn about them. I snuck onto the lot and they were expecting an interview, who wasn’t me, but the person didn’t show up so I just walked in and did the interview. The first job I got in holly wood I got by taking an interview that wasn’t my interview and ended up getting a temp job.
N: So in many ways it was fate that you got that job
M: Yea, it’s a good example of “make your own luck.” My first job was an interview that wasn’t even meant for me. Once I had that job it was easier to find other work. I spent my first year and a half as a runner, for a production assistant. Its essentially the lowest level, not really paid very well, and then I got my break and went to Roseanne, I had a really good pitch and I got hired on the spot.
N: Was Roseanne your first writing gig for television.
Taboo
Sep 6th
I return to Boston with a tattoo confirmed and a consultation meeting planned. The naysayers dislike it not for the design, or the irrational decision making (I have sat on the idea for a year), or even for the actual process of inking my body, but only because of the stigmas surrounding tattoos. They say it will limit me in the work force, it will be embarrassing at an older age, or that it will somehow pigeon-hole me into a lower social class. None of these things deal with the actual design or concept of my tattoo. Now we may scoff at these people for being old fashion, misinformed or part of a conservative system that strangles human individuality. But that would all probably be bullshit, because at the very core of human interaction lies the need for stigmas and preconceptions.
My President is Black, my Lambo is Blue
The majority of us would never hire a person with Grills for a management position in an office. Some would believe that every girl with a thong hanging out is immediately promiscuous. Stigmas have been and probably will always be a part of our daily life, the tattoo stigma just happens to be on its way out. We do not categorize them as our parents did.
So when someone ridicules me for putting art permanently on my body, I have trouble getting angry, because I know to them it is the same as me wearing a grill to an interview, or god forbid having my man-thong hang out at a 4 star restaurant. All of us judge on varying degrees, and I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing, just a part of human interaction.
What is ‘Culture Shock’ Anyways?
Sep 6th
When I think of the term “Culture Shock,’ I conjure up extreme examples the isolation, confusion, or excitement of experiencing something completely foreign for the first time. I think of Martina meeting her host family, Sandy seeing a soldier carrying a Kalashnikov, and Allison feeling as if she transported back to the time when Jim Crow Laws reigned supreme.
But Culture Shock can also occur in subtle ways when you least expect it. You may pay extra attention to the homeless on Newbury Street like Bonnie, feel ‘re-shocked’ when returning home after a year away at college like Eric, or wonder why your friend isn’t accepting your offer of water on a hot day like myself.
The cure for Culture Shock is simple: start talking. Take a few moments to learn about someone else’s point of view, idea, or cultural background by reading one of our posts. Then, leave comments that let us know your side of the story.
In addition to sharing narratives about Culture Shock, let’s talk about topics in which we all can identify. Hear what Mike has to say about sports and Nairika about the wonderful taste of hummus. Watch a video of a musician that Halee recommends or a documentary that Martin found to be interesting.
While we are it, let’s not shy too far away from the controversial issues that need to be discussed. Respectfully engage in a conversation with Monica about the immigration law in Arizona, Icee about the actions of Chris Brown, Kim about hot-button environmental issues, and Adam about a divisive Supreme Court ruling.
Then, help educate others about the world around us. Help Ksenia break down negative stereotypes associated with community college. Follow George’s lead by showing respect to those who serve us everyday. Add your thoughts to Melodi’s discussion of how to not dislike the disliker.
Basically, we here at Culture Shock are willing to talk about anything. All we ask is that you take Neal’s advice to be yourself and never forget your roots.
Platform Revelations
Aug 25th
Editor’s Note: Tino Bratbo is originally from New Jersey, and is a sophomore in CAS. He is majoring in linguistics and psychology, with a particular interest in Middle Eastern and Indian languages.
Whatever happened to experiencing? Personal growth and introspection?
My generation is now so comfortable with the internet, practically having been born in a computer chair, that we substitute actual experience with Google searches.
You know those older movies (you might not, because anything made before karate kid is just ridiculous- and let’s face it, even karate kid is only acceptable because of the recent remake) where the guy, or gal, is standing at the subway platform of some random city in some random country, and he looks like he just had a profound personal revelation? I feel like that doesn’t happen anymore. Sure, there are still movers and shakers out there, explorers. But in the end, I feel like most people would rather Google ‘platform + revelation’ than actually experience it.
Perhaps I have high expectations. I spent my childhood constantly moving, and my formative years in 3 different countries. I have had my share of platform revelations. And they are amazing, and I want more of them. And perhaps I am being hypocritical, talking about my generation’s dependence on the internet, as I blog about this idea.
But it is a shame. As much as I use the internet, and as much of a fan I am of reading (whether it is internet, kindle, or the archaic media of the paperback book), they are no substitute for experiential learning. Going out and experiencing the world. I feel like even a late-night trip to the movies with friends doesn’t happen anymore. Why bother going to the cinema when you can stay on your couch and watch the latest movies on your droid (and simultaneously IM your friends your opinion of said movie)?
And I’m not saying I don’t understand it. I, too, grew up with the internet, and god knows my laptop is on from dawn to dusk. But what happens whenever you find comfort in something, especially something as vast and versatile as the internet, is that you lose your ability to be spontaneous. And I fall victim to it as well. I seriously consider not studying abroad because I don’t know how much internet access I will have. and god forbid a friend texts me to hang out at 10 at night, ’cause I’ll be at home, firmly ensconced in my couch watching Gilmore Girls with the world at my fingertips as the laptop rests in my lap. It’s a comfortable position. Secure. And going out and experiencing something new, something with which you are not familiar is suddenly not as appealing anymore.
But it is vastly important. It is in those situations that you find out what you’re made of- who you are, as cliché as it sounds. And the best part is, eventually you become confident in whom you are, and as you continue to experience new things, and encounter unfamiliar situations, you are able to handle it better and enjoy it more. You get to define yourself by the experiences you have had, and not the blogs that you have saved in your ‘favorites.’ but it does require getting up and closing that laptop. And the more insight I gain on how little insight I’m gaining from Google, the more motivated I am becoming to go out and experience my world. And I think everyone should do that. Go out and have your own platform revelations. You need them. And, if you do allow yourself the guilty pleasure of blogging about them, I won’t hold it against you. As long as you had them in the first place. I’ll see you out there.
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